South Korea passes law allowing BTS to defer compulsory military service

02 December 2020, 14:19 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(BTS)

South Korea has passed a new law allowing BTS to defer their compulsory military service until the age of 30.

Military service is mandatory in South Korea for Korean men aged between 18 and 28, but under a new law certain pop stars will be able to defer their military service via a recommendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

As BBC reports, the law will be welcomed by BTS' oldest member Jin, who turns 28 on Friday (4 December).

In September 2019 the South Korean Ministry of Defense officials denied BTS' exemption from military service. At the time, a Ministry of Defence official told The Hollywood Reporter, "The Ministry of Defense is currently debating with related authorities on improving the current alternate service [program] in place of conscription, but nothing has been decided as to when a change may take effect."

Just last week BTS became the first K-pop group ever to receive a Grammy Award nomination. They were nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their "Dynamite" track.