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| ▲This photo shows member of K-pop superstar BTS. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL September 30 (Yonhap) -- People Power Party held a debate on September 29 with expert panels with the agenda of alternative military services regarding those in pop culture and art industry such as K-pop super star BTS.
Throughout the debate, both sides collided on the subject matter of alternative military services.
Those who are pro to alternative military services stated that considering equality and economic benefits artist should be given a chance to serve their military duties using alternative methods.
Representing lawyer Choi Jin-nyoung of the Law Firm CK addressed “unlike classical and traditional musicians and those who create fine art, artist engaged in pop culture are not being provided with an opportunity of alternative military serves. This goes against the equality principle” adding “In simpler terms there are prejudice towards artist who engage in a field of pop culture.”
Continuing on Lawyer Choi put emphasis on the economic benefit K-pop artists such as BTS and more brings to the country, therefore it will beneficial for South Korean economy to provide artists with alternative service.
Chairwoman of Korean Singers Association addressed “We are not asking for an unilateral exemption from their military duties,” and continued on with her idea of creating commercial corps for pop culture and art team where K-pop artists can donate certain percentage of their economical income from activities to the Korean government.
However the contrasting side claimed revocation of alternative service options introduced 50 years ago. Even with the continuum of the alternative service options, using a potential economic gain one can provide to the country should not become one of the standard of alternative service.
Ahn Suk-gi, a director of one of Korean Institute of Defense Analysis’ centers described due to drastic increase in population in 1970s it was inevitable for the government to create not only alternative service method but various different ways to fulfill one’s military duty. “However, things have changed now, and its our time to ask the inevitable question of whether we need alternative service methods.”
Professor Jin Seok-yong rebutted the opposing opinion of economic benefit BTS will bring to the country by stating “If we were to grand alternative service to those who bring economic benefit to the country, by doing so we will carrying out another discriminatory action.”
However, the host of the debate, Sung Il-jong chief policy maker of the ruling party addressed “Is it really fair for global artists such as BTS to not be able to benefit from the alternative military service,” adding “We need adjustments to current system so second and third version of global stars can freely perform globally.”
“It is just not to discriminate and put a different standard towards fine art and pop art,” adding “Culture Sports and Tourism Committee will do our best to come up with a plan suitable for the current situation.” addressed Lee Yong-ho, executive secretary of the committee Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee ; Special Committee on Political Reform of the ruling party.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
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