Source: Joongang Ilbo
Lawmakers are in shock over BTS' sudden "hiatus" announcement.
On the 14th, BTS announced through a tearful 'Festa' dinner plans to suspend all group activities and the National Assembly that was discussing 'Military Service Act' amendments for BTS exemptions is currently "bewildered" over the sudden news.
An official from the ruling party stated, "It's become a shameful situation with nothing to be done."
Some feel that there might be a "spark" left over military exemptions however there are only 6 months left until BTS' eldest member Jin has to enlist. The National Assembly is still suffering from "fairness" controversies due to protests from young men after the bill was introduced in November last year and discussions over 'exemptions' have since halted for 7 months. There's also no news of a public hearing that was scheduled to be held in December last year.
A lawmaker from 'People's Power' party that attended draft amendment discussions revealed, "There isn't enough room for discussions due to presidential and local elections and backlash from young men in their 20s that's causing a lot of trouble."
Uhm Kyung-young also stated, "In addition to local elections and difficulties arising from member compositions of the National Assembly, discussions on the bill have come to a standstill. 'Fairness' is the most sensitive word in politics right now."
BTS previously announced plans to "complete military service" and ARMY also shared their positions asking "not to use BTS for politics." HYBE's Director of Communications (CCO) Lee Jin-hyeong also told media, "Our artists have repeatedly put out messages that they plan to respond to the national call. Those thoughts haven't changed. I hope lawmakers can come to a conclusion as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, Koo Jeong-woo, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan University stated, "Didn't BTS declare halt on group activities in order to rest and recharge?"
- [+5,963, -487] Moon Jae-in managed to clean up his image by luring in and enticing the kids just to drag them here and thereㅋㅋ
- [+2,963, -153] I knew this was going to happen after seeing Moon Jae-in give that UN speech in front of 180 seats and called them around. He lured them in and wiped his mouth with them after sucking them dry.
- [+1,748, -169] If BTS gets exempted from military, it's only a matter of time until more agencies go around asking for exemptions too.
- [+1,635, -167] Instead of solo schedules, they can enlist and reunite as a group in the military. If you're a Korean citizen, fulfill your duty of protecting your country!!
- [+1,119, -94] Gukgaes need to just leave BTS alone. They're worked hard and remained faithful to their main job as idols for 9 years and gave great joy to fans all over the world. I support you in your solo schedules to recharge. Stay healthy and enlist when its time. Just take it an unfortunate fate of men in our country.
- [+186, -23] It's not like they're asking them to serve for 2 or 3 years, it's just 1 year and 6 months. And to think they even went as far as putting together an international PR team for their overseas performances to lobby for exemptions. Is it really worth losing popularity and 'top tier global idol' title just because you can't stand to enlist for 1 year? Are you going to die from the wait? The members are so proud of having a fandom aptly named 'ARMY' but don't want to enlist ㅋㅋㅋ. Kids, let's do it in moderation.
- [+180, -15] Whether you're an athlete or artist, everyone has to fulfill their duties in defending the country! We shouldn't prioritize democracy over fairness.
- [+143, -3] The idea of 'exemption' itself needs to be abolished. Once you open that bridge, it's just raises more eyebrows over preferences and fairness.
- [+143, -3] This is scammer Moon Jae-in's specialty. He claimed to be such a huge fan, put out Lee Jae-yong and used whoever he could. He smelled some money from BTS, lured them in at the promise of exemptions and dragged them around the world just to eat off of them.
- [+113, -7] Moon Jae-in really called BTS to events, took pictures, promised them exemptions only to chew and throw them out dryㅋㅋㅋㅋ