Ep.266 BTS’s AMA win sparks debate over military service
World Ch. Schedule : THU 20:00 KST
Date : 2021-12-02
K-pop sensations BTS took home the “Artist of the Year” award at the 2021 American Music Awards. The band’s big win has once again triggered a debate in Korea over possible military exemptions for the members. Under Korea’s conscription system, Olympic medalists, Asian Games Gold medalists and those who won second place or higher in international competitions specified in the Military Service Act are entitled to an alternative duty program.
Pop music is not included in the fields eligible for the benefit, meaning BTS cannot receive an exemption. Korean lawmakers met on November 25 to discuss making changes to the current Military Service Act, but they decided to defer the decision. In this week’s edition of Foreign Correspondents, we sit down with our panel of journalists to discuss issues surrounding the military exemption rules in Korea and the public’s perception toward mandatory military service.
In-studio guests
- Jacco Zwetsloot / Freelance journalist
- Lisa Espinosa / HanCinema
- Kim Bo-kyoung / Arirang TV
Skype Interview Guests
- Jang Ye-jun / Attorney
