Article: Between BTS and Yoo Seung-jun...
Source: Sports Kyunghyang
BTS military exemption talks are rousing interest over Yoo Seung-jun's "military" scandal.
On the 4th, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hwang Hee held a press conference at the annex of the government complex in Seoul and urged the National Assembly to amend the Military Service Act to establish a new system to exempt popular idols like BTS. He cited research data from Tourism Research Institute that showed "each BTS concert results in 1.2 trillion won in tourism revenue."
However, amendments are facing opposition. Park Min-young, spokesperson for People's Power Party retorted in a Facebook post on the same day writing, "Does it make sense to exempt BTS simply to serve national interests when sick people are getting drafted to the army with some forced to serve as social service workers? Military service is an obligation and duty we all have to sacrifice and bear."
The timing of Minister Hwang-hee's press conference is also raising eyebrows. Many are arguing that having such a meeting, when he's near the end of his term, is not appropriate. The timing is also around the same time when Yoo Seung-jun lost his second lawsuit to gain entry to Korea.
Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo) obtained U.S citizenship to evade service and in 2002, was restricted from entering Korea as a result. He tried to enter Korea with a visa for overseas Koreans however his entry was denied so he filed an administrative lawsuit and the verdict was confirmed in 2020. But even after the Supreme Court ruling, the Los Angeles Consulate General refused to issue his visa again and Yoo filed another administrative injunction.
In the 2nd judgement, the court stated, "Because of Yoo Seung-jun's purpose and actions in obtaining a U.S visa (to evade service), there's a risk of harming public welfare and order as this will cause anger and loss of motivation to Korean soldiers and families who endured through enlistment."
Then head of the Military Manpower Administration Mo Jong-hwa attended a parliamentary audit in October 2020 and raised his voice stating, "I don't even want to use the name Yoo Seung-jun. Steve Yoo has deviated from his noble military duty after repeatedly promising people he'll fulfill it fairly."
Minister Hwang-hee's remarks asking to revise the military law has ignited public opinion amidst Yoo Seung-jun's ruling. Online communities are pointing out the government is showing "double standard" since Yoo Seung-jun lost his visa lawsuit fueling public criticism over the ruling Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, BTS fans are also reacting coldly to the controversy due to continuous mention of BTS in political circles over the military service issue.
On the 4th, Minister Hwang-hee tweeted, "Enlisting is a basic military duty of citizens but I want to sincerely and desperately plead to those who have completed their duty. Please understand."
His tweet is currently being shared in online communities and negative public opinion is continuing.
