On February 26, representatives of the ROK Army issues a statement of response regarding Big Bang member G-Dragon's controversy surrounding his soldier status. 

Previously, media outlets reported that G-Dragon currently remains a 2nd rank soldier out of the overall 4 ranks he must complete during his mandatory military service. The reports claimed that most other soldiers who enlisted alongside G-Dragon have now risen up to 3rd rank, and suspected that the primary reason for the Big Bang member's failure to advance in ranks was his "excessive use of vacations". The reports furthermore counted that G-Dragon "used nearly 100 days of vacations" during his military service so far. 

However, army representatives have now clarified, "Soldier Kwon Ji Yong is currently a private, and it is true that he has yet to advance to the class of corporal. Most of Kwon Ji Yong's classmates advanced to corporal status back on January 1. However, once the allotted amount of time passes, he will also advance to his 3rd rank, even if he has fallen behind."

The rep continued, "A soldier using too many vacation days will never be the reason that he fails to rise in rank. A soldier may not advance to the next rank in the case that he fails to meet the examination requirements. Currently, Kwon Ji Yong has utilized 76 of his vacation days; 47 of those days were used for medical illness/treatment."

Finally, the army rep confirmed, "The rest of his vacation days were used in exactly the same manner that all soldiers have the privilege to, and there are no issues with his vacation days." 

The Big Bang leader's expected discharge date is November 26, 2019.