K-Pop boy bands and soccer superstars: A look at South Korea’s mandatory service and concerns for its military

By Luke Carberry Mogan

December 9, 2019

The checks and balances for South Korea's conscription policy, or mandatory military service for men ages 18 to 35, allow for certain exemptions to be made. Including pre-existing medical conditions, classical musicians and athletes are also considered for exemption. With various factors- including South Korea's declining birth rate, lessened service length, and reduction of exemptions- considered, this raises the questions of who and why can be exceptionally talented enough to avoid service.

South Korean footballer Son Heung-Min

In 2018, the South Korean government approached Son Heung-Min, captain of the national soccer team, and offered him and the rest of his teammates exemption if they won the Asian Games. Son not only led his squad to a gold-medal victory over Japan, but had assisted in scoring both of South Korea's overtime goals.

Son accomplished the goal set out before him and was rewarded. He had done his diplomacy on the field

Korean K-pop band BTS

South Korea remains one of 28 countries still practicing compulsory, or required by law, service, requiring males to enlist by the age of 28. Even the K-pop boyband BTS cannot find exemption, as one of its singers Jin, 27, approaches his deadline to enlist by next December.

The Guardian reported that South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has been cracking down on lowering the amount of exemptions made, including BTS despite their international financial success.