In Yohan, the chairman of the People Power Party’s Innovation Committee in South Korea, has commented on the military service issue of the K-pop group BTS.
Chairman In appeared on JTBC’s YouTube Live show ‘Only Genre Yeouido’ on the 13th and discussed the innovation plans of the People Power Party.
That day, he said, “The economy needs to move forward creatively,” and added, “The government does not create jobs. Companies do. If we create a country where companies are excited to work, we will dominate the world.”
He then strongly argued, “Look at BTS. Why send BTS to the military? Athletes don’t have to go to the military if they win a medal. Today, I will make a statement. BTS should be exempted from military service.”
When the host of Jeong Young-jin pointed out that “some members have already served in the military,” Chairman In responded, “No, so the remaining members should be exempted as soon as possible.”
When the host asked, “Why not Seventeen (another K-pop group)?” Chairman In replied, “We need to evaluate them objectively.”
The host then asked, “How can we objectively evaluate?” Chairman In replied, “Oh, I am a passionate fan of BTS. Those people (BTS members) have promoted our country’s cultural content worldwide. Is it right to send them to the military while they are bringing in billions? Does that make sense?”
When the host asked, “So, they don’t have to serve in the military because they make a lot of money?” Chairman In emphasized, “Is money the issue? BTS has elevated the status of our country. Is money all you know?”
The oldest BTS member, Jin, enlisted in December last year, J-Hope in April, and Suga in September, fulfilling their national defense duties.
According to the ‘Forecast of Changes in the Male Population in Their 20s’ recently announced by the Statistics Bureau, the number of men in their 20s will decrease from 330,000 in 2020 to 230,000 in 2025, experiencing the first population cliff. It doesn’t end here, as it is expected to plummet to 130,000 by 2045, marking the second population cliff. Even if the current active duty determination rate (83% as of 2021) is applied, replenishing the military’s manpower is expected to be bleak.
Thus, President Yoon Suk Yeol drew a line on implementing the voluntary military service system during his presidential candidacy. Instead, considering the decreasing military resources, he announced plans to build an unmanned combat system that shifted the military structure from human-centered to robot-centered. He did not mention the conscription of women and the extension of active duty service. This was analyzed as his stance.
By. Lee Beom Hee
Most Commented