▲ This photo, shows the video of BTS celebrating the 9th anniversary of their debut on the afternoon of the 15th when BTS announced that they would temporarily pause their group activities. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, June 20 (Yonhap) – “It is time for the National Assembly to choose the greater national interest instead of avoiding the revision of the (Military Service Act),” said Congressman Yoon Sang-hyun of People Power Country.

Congressman Yoon, who is a part of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee at the National Assembly said on Facebook on the same day, "Otherwise, the golden age of K-pop could disappear like a bubble."

"While (BTS) emphasized that they were tired and needed a break, the main reason behind this decision was because of Jin's military service, who must enlist within the year,” he argued.

“While the agency announced that it was waiting for the National Assembly’s decision regarding the members’ military service, there has been no news,” he said. “It is said that the value of the company’s stock dropped by 2 trillion won as soon as BTS announced their break as a group.”

"The impact of BTS pausing their activities is enormous on the Korean economy beyond the K-pop market," he added. "It is now time for the National Assembly to give an answer."

Previously, in June of last year, Congressman Yoon proposed an amendment to the Military Service Act that would allow popular culture artists with a high contribution to the national interest to perform alternative military services through arts and sports personnel.

The current law allows art and sports personnel that win the top prize at domestic and international art contests, the Olympics and Asian games, or those who have completed the national intangible cultural assets to get an exemption from the military service. The amendment asks to add popular culture artists to these exemptions.

 

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

 

 

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