Lee Jae-Myung, a candidate for the president of the Democratic Liberal Party in South Korea, once again voiced his doubts on Thursday for whether to provide special assistance to BTS superstar K-POP for mandatory military service.
Yonhap News Agency reported that Lee was asked at the campaign event about his views on long-term problems whether Septet had to be released from military service or another assistance for their role in promoting the image of the nation abroad.
“Mandatory military service is a public task set by the Constitution and we must be careful about providing exceptions,” he replied.
“We cannot deny the contribution (BTS) to the nation, but we must be careful because it will be difficult to withdraw the line if we expand (scope of exceptions) like this,” he said.
Lee made a similar comment in December, said he preferred to delay the BTS military service to provide exceptions to members.
All South Koreans who are healthy bodies between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to carry out mandatory military services for about two years.
Exceptions have been given to international award-winning athletes and classical musicians for their role in increasing the country’s reputation abroad.
There are also talks whether BTS members must be allowed to carry out alternative military duties in recognition of their contribution to the South Korean national image with hits their unprecedented advertising boards.