K-pop supergroup BTS must perform military service

Hit South Korean boy band BTS willnot be given exemption from mandatory military service, the Defence Ministry has said, reaffirming its policy of noexceptions for pop stars.

The decision is likely to fuel debate in South Korea, whichremains technically at war with North Korea, about whetherentertainers and athletes should have to do their full militaryservice, of about 18 months, when they might be at the peak oftheir careers.

"Exempting pop culture artists from military service eventhough they have made a contribution to the country's reputationis not in line with the government's stance to uphold justiceand fairness," the ministry said in announcing its decision onThursday.

The seven-strong BTS has spearheaded a wave of Korean pop,crowning their success with three No. 1 albums on the Billboardchart in less than a year, a 2019 Grammy nomination and concertsfrom New York to Saudi Arabia.

Fans of the group have been tryingfor months to petition the government to extend exemptions to pop groups, but this recentdecision hasdashed those hopes. The band's oldest member, Kim Seok-jin, turns 27 in December, meaning he will have to register for his mandatory service in the near future.

None of the band members, who range in age from 22 to 26,wereavailable for comment on Friday.

Mandatory service, few exceptions

Korean men who turn 18 become eligible for a physicalexamination by the Military Manpower Administration, which canthen lead to service. Women do not have to do military service.

Authorities occasionally grants exemptions, for instance toathletes, but only if they have won gold medals at the AsianGames, or any medal at the Olympics.

Also, classical musicians who have received awards atrecognized international competition can skip their militaryservice.

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Last year, Son Heung-min, who plays for the English PremierLeague side Tottenham Hotspur, was given an exemption but onlyafter he helped the South Korean national team win gold at theAsian Games.

The Defence Ministry said fewer than 45 people are exemptfrom service every year.

South Korea has nearly 600,000 soldiers, most of themconscripted.