Ahn Cheol-soo: "BTS Fully Qualified for Alternative Military Service... It's Time for the Political Sphere to Respond"

"The Reason Why Only Popular Art Is Not Allowed Is Hard to Accept"

Group BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, argued for alternative military service for the group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS), calling it a "national loss beyond personal damage."

On the 25th, Ahn posted on his Facebook a message titled "Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) fully qualifies for alternative service as arts and sports personnel," expressing this view.

Ahn said, "The revision bill of the Military Service Act is being discussed in the National Assembly," adding, "It proposes that popular musicians be included as arts and sports personnel to perform alternative service."

He continued, "I believe including popular arts (popular culture) in the existing arts and sports fields aligns with fairness and the flow of the times," explaining, "It is difficult to understand why Son Heung-min is allowed but Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) is not."

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party
Photo by Yonhap News

He further stated, "There was implicit national support that Son Heung-min playing in the world’s best league without career interruption helps enhance the country’s image and the happiness of the people," adding, "Even if limited to the cultural and artistic fields, it is hard to accept why pure arts are allowed but popular arts are not."

Also, Ahn said, "I hope Bangtan Sonyeondan, like other young people who contribute greatly to national interests such as promoting national prestige and cultural development, will be given a fair opportunity to perform alternative service," and "Many young people who believe military service obligations must be fulfilled with fairness and equity will sympathize with this."

Moreover, Ahn emphasized, "In the era of advanced science and technology and low birth rates, the fundamental solution is to move toward a tailored manpower recruitment structure for elite and specialized military forces, as outlined in my semi-volunteer military system pledge," adding, "I hope the discussion on including popular musicians as arts and sports personnel will deepen and expand into reforms of the semi-volunteer military manpower structure. It is now the political sphere’s turn to respond to the issue raised by Bangtan Sonyeondan."