Eldest BTS Member, Jin, Enlists in South Korean Army

Mr. Kim, the Defense Ministry mentioned, is anticipated to complete his service in June 2024.

South Korea’s necessary navy service, which applies to all able-bodied males over the age of 18, is seen as essential to the nation’s protection in opposition to North Korea. But debate has raged for years in each the general public and legislative spheres about whether or not BTS needs to be exempt from conscription given its contributions to South Korea’s economic system and smooth energy overseas.

In a nod to the band’s world success, South Korea’s parliament revised the legislation in 2020 to permit cultural and creative icons to defer their enlistment to the age of 30, giving Mr. Kim two further years to carry out. Otherwise, Korean males are required to enlist within the navy by age 28, barring a number of exceptions, together with for Olympic champions.

Bills to exempt the band from service altogether have proved contentious, particularly among the many cohort of younger males for whom conscription is obligatory.

The band put the talk to relaxation in October this 12 months when its label, Big Hit Music, introduced that the members would certainly fulfill their duties within the navy.