BTS members could postpone their enlistment if the government approves revisions to the Military Service Act.
According to a report by All Kpop, officials are, currently, studying the possibility of allowing individuals who have contributed to the betterment of culture and the arts, the option to postpone their enlistment until they are 30 years old.
Under the proposal, those who have worked in the cultural and artistic fields for more than three years and helped boost the national status, may be allowed to avail of the postponement. Pop culture artists and E-sports players are being considered for the amended ruling.
However, the availment will be subject to the approval of the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Based on the current status, individuals who are pursuing higher education may postpone enlistment, but only until they are 28 years old.
Six members of BTS are, currently, enrolled at the Hanyang Cyber University's graduate program. RM, Suga, and J-Hope have been taking up MBA in Advertising and Media since March last year. Jimin and V are set to begin the same graduate school his September. Jin is, also, attending graduate school at the same university, Soompi reported.
Jin, the eldest BTS member, is expected to be the first member to enlist this December when he turns 28 years old. This is the maximum period allowed for Korean males to enlist for mandatory service.
It can be recalled that fans have been lobbying for BTS members to be exempt from mandatory service because of the honor they have brought for the Korean entertainment industry on the global front, CNN reported.
BTS received countless international awards since 2017, including accolades from the Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Daesang Awards from Korean music awards. Members also received an Order of Cultural Merit award by the South Korean government in 2018, making them the youngest recipients for the honor.
BTS, also, performed on the global stage and graced the Grammys stage early this year. They recently broke multiple viewing records for "ON" and "Dynamite."
For their recent English single, BTS topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making them the first Korean artists to achieve the honor.
Current exemptions to the Military Service Act only covers classical musicians and athletes who have brought honor to the country. Pop culture artists are not included in these categories.
