Park Po Gyun, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, talked about the topic of a special military service exemption for the group BTS and what the most important factor is for an exemption.

Minister Park Po Gyun stated that the public's opinion is the single most important factor in deciding the special military service exemptions for BTS at a press conference held at the government complex in Sejong on July 4th.

When asked a question about the special exemption for the group, the minister explained, "I believe that military service is a sacred duty." He also praised the group by saying, "The second is that BTS has promoted K-culture worldwide and has advanced the prestige of the nation."

Additionally, he explained there is an issue of equality between the fields of basic art and popular art. Athletes who win a medal at the Olympics or the Gold medal at the Asian Games are exempt from the military, and there is a debate if these athletes bring more prestige to the nation than a globally famous artist like BTS. Minister Park Po Gyun explained, "The public's opinion is important. We are not the ones to take the initiative but we listen to the opinions of the public and deliver them to the National Assembly."

BTS members legally deferred military service until the age of 30 when the amendment to the Military Service Act was promulgated in June of last year. However, Jin, the eldest member of BTS, must enlist by the end of this year under the current military service law.