The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has denied allegations of favoritism toward BTS member V during his mandatory military service.

On November 20, the ministry responded to a public complaint questioning whether V, who is serving in the military, had been granted special privileges, including unauthorized phone use at an Army training center. The complaint also raised concerns about whether V’s celebrity status had led to favoritism or if his superiors knowingly permitted such behavior.

In its statement, the Defense Ministry clarified that V had used his phone during a designated hour by the training center’s general policies. It explained that the Army training center allows trainees to use their phones for one hour on weekends and public holidays. V’s phone use reportedly occurred during an authorized period in the afternoon, not during the early hours of the morning.

The ministry further stated, “There is no evidence to suggest that V was granted special permission to use his phone outside the designated time or that any such action was condoned. Details about the specific timing, method, or content of conversations cannot be disclosed due to the Personal Information Protection Act and the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.”

This controversy gained traction after Min Hee Jin, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, mentioned V during her appearance on Kim Young Dae’s School of Music, a YouTube channel hosted by music critic Kim Young Dae.

During the interview, Min shared that V occasionally called her while serving in the military, describing him as a cheerful and kind individual. She also revealed that V sent her a birthday message early in the morning, shortly after his enlistment, expressing gratitude and affection toward him.

Following this interview, some online users pointed out that V enlisted on December 11, and Min’s birthday falls on December 16. They questioned how V, just five days into his service, could send a message during early hours, sparking allegations of military favoritism.

The ministry’s explanation appears to have addressed these concerns, though discussions about the incident continue among fans and the public.