Leaked documents reveal first debate over BTS "military exemptions" has began at National Assembly

Article: [Exclusive] "Please prepare a standard for 'BTS military service exemptions'"... First debate begins in the National Assembly

Source: Hankyung

Debate over BTS "military exemptions" has began at the National Assembly.

According to leaked documents obtained by Korea Economic Daily, the first debate is scheduled for the 12th at the National Assembly and will be hosted by Ahn Gyu-baek, a Democratic Party member. This is the first time a debate over military exemptions for pop culture artists like BTS has been held.

In a presentation titled "Discussion to Improve Special Military Service Exemptions," Lee Nam-kyung, Director of Korea Management Association writes, "It's necessary to guarantee sufficient activities for macro goals over 'Shenyang' and "Culture Creation" for pop culture artists and men who are at an age to fulfill military service and raise "national prestige."

Meanwhile, criticisms over BTS exemptions are growing amid worries over "fairness" and "discrimination."

1. [+288, -19] They said they're going to go so why do they keep causing such a fuss? Whether or not they're exempted, they know the result..
2. [+191, -27] The fact that we're holding debates to exempt them over topping other countries charts and awards is a comedy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋIt's not like anything we say changes Billboards policyㅋㅋㅋ
3. [+155, -26] The same members that were so loud about their intentions to enlist are stabbing us in the back at the backs of their agency.. go with the foreigners and get naturalized there if you want to evade the military so much.
4. [+102, -7] The ba$tard lawmakers that want to exempt them from their constitutional duty just because they topped charts of other countries are the crazy ones ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
5. [+87, -16] Are they sure they're going to be able to handle the aftermath if they get exemptedㅋㅋ You want exemptions right?? Ok, make sure you retire from the public eye ㅋㅋ
6. [+58, -11] Ever since a former Blue House official got hired at HYBE, news of BTS getting exempted from the military started pouring out. We need to start tax investigations on HYBE!!
7. [+47, -2] I understand wanting to exempt them for promoting "national prestige" but since the beginning, they only became idols for their own self interests. So if I got appointed as an executive at Samsung or a large conglomerate I deserve to get exempted? This is just going to cause more ambiguity in the future so how exactly are we going to set standards?? And if they get exempted, does that mean profits they earn when they should've been serving go into our National Treasury?
8. [+25, -3] It's unfair to give them preferential treatments!!! BTS should proudly fulfill their duties!!
9. [+23, -2] Is their agency going to go bankrupt if one or two members enlist? They've earned so much money and fame but want special exemptions from the military too? Idols get special benefits already with their service being so short so why exempt them on top of that?
10. [+20, -4] Like Yoo Seung-jun, if you evade military service don't even think on stepping on Korean soil! If you think of yourself as a real Korean citizen, enlist and serve your country!!
11. [+16, -2] They can tell public opinion is so bad just by looking at the comments.. and yet they're still pushing this? It's a bit suspicious... there's definitely something going on.
12. [+14, -2] Expose the list of the thug lawmakers bending our laws after taking in bribes!! There are many mothers with sons who can't even get a job or graduate after serving in the military.
13. [+7, -1] How much money were they fed to bend our laws for exemptions!!