Easing Of Military Service Act For K Pop Artists Is Protested
JAKARTA - The Korea Music Content Association (KOMCA) and 26 agencies in South Korea filed a complaint with the South Korean Ministry of Defense regarding the latest Military Service Act.
Previously, in December 2020, South Korea's Parliament passed a bill allowing Korean pop artists to suspend their military obligations.
This decision was made after consideration so that K-pop group BTS could delay conscription for up to two years.
The revision began after BTS's song Dynamite peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Not only that, BTS received their first nomination at the 2021 Grammy Awards for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance.
"We're not talking about freeing them from duty, but pop artists and musicians like BTS - their careers can shine in their 20s. We can't let conscription deter them in the middle of a career peak," Jeon Yeong-gi, a member of the Democratic Party, said in September.
Defense Minister Suh Wook also mentioned that there was no consideration for the release of conscription.
Protest
KOMCA filed a complaint on April 1 and declared Article 12-3 of the Military Service Act Enforcement Decision unrealistic and unfair.
According to the Korea Herald, the changes are scheduled to be unveiled on June 23. The rule would allow pop musicians who receive cultural awards to delay their conscription until the age of 30 with permission from the Ministry of Culture.
However, this rule signifies no musician other than BTS is worthy and this would be a mockery if reviewed in detail.
This change also makes musicians who have a career for 15 years who have the opportunity to get Cultural Merit. Most of the award-winning musicians are 60 years old while BTS is an exception due to the achievements they made despite their debut in 2013.
"If a male musician wants to meet the criteria before the age of 28, he must start his career in the world of K-pop when he is 13 years old. And that doesn't mean they can delay conscription. It's just a requirement to get an award. There are different standards to see if they can actually delay the conscription."
This rule discriminates against pop music compared to other business sectors so they expect this rule to be unrealistic.
"How should musicians qualify things impossible to achieve? What we're asking is for the ministry to produce standards that musicians can meet instead of sizes that can't be made."
Military rules
To serve in the military in South Korea, a man at least 18 years of age can serve in the military. They were required to perform their duties at the age of 28. Usually, conscription runs for two years.
In addition, there is a mandatory military exemption for athletes or musicians as well as actors and directors. For example, footballer Son Heung Min was relieved of liability for carrying a South Korean name in the world of football.
In the entertainment world, musicians such as violinists, pianists, ballet dancers, actors, and directors get the opportunity to be free of duty. Therefore, this regulation is considered unfair and only benefits BTS.
*Read more information about K-POP or read other interesting writings from Tarida Angelina.