KMCA Filed Complaint Over ‘BTS’ Military Enlistment Postponement Law

The Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) and 26 member agencies have formally filed a complaint against the new mandatory military enlistment postponement dubbed “BTS Law.” The new law allows K-pop idols who have an outstanding contribution in improving the country’s national image and boost the economy to postpone their mandatory military service until age 30. Including BTS Jin and other BTS members can postpone the mandatory military service enlistment.

KMCA Files Complaint About ‘BTS’ Mandatory Military Service Enlistment Postponement Law

The Order of Cultural Merit as the qualification

On December 1, 2020, South Korea’s National Assembly passed a new bill for pop-cultural artists eligible for postponement military service to 30 years old.

The qualification to apply for military service deferment is that the artist should have received the Order of Cultural Merit in the Field of Popular Culture and Arts and those recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Although BTS members just debuted in 2013, they have achieved many awards on the global stage. Moreover, the government has recognized their achievements. In 2018, BTS was honored the Order of Cultural Merit by President Moon Jae-In. The event marked them as the youngest awardees for the medal.

[#오늘의방탄] 2018 대중문화예술상에서 받은 화관문화훈장🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖 아미 여러분 덕에, 그리고 아미 여러분과 함께 받은 상입니다. 고맙습니다☺️ pic.twitter.com/X5yI6j8X82

— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) October 24, 2018

BTS members (Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook) are the youngest awardees of the Korean government’s Order of Cultural Merit. Moreover, the septet also the first and only Korean singer to be nominated for the Grammy Awards.

Debuted in 2013, they have just seven years of career in the music industry, but they keep on making history. The youngest member of the group or called maknae, BTS Jungkook, was just 16 when he debuted and 21 when he received the Order of Cultural Merit. Meanwhile, the oldest member of the group, BTS Jin, debuted at the age of 21 and received the Order of Cultural Merit at 26.

KMCA Files Complaint Against “BTS Law.”

Following the revised Mandatory Military Service Law – Article 12-3 is set to take effect on June 23, 2021. On April 1, KMCA has submitted the written objection to the Korea’s Military of National Defense.

The KMCA pointed out The Order of Cultural Merit as the qualification for pop artists to apply for military service postponement. They believe that the qualification is unfair and unrealistic. It seems impossible for any other artists (other than BTS members) who are in their twenties to receive the Order of Cultural Merit.

As the criteria to received this Cultural Merit medal is that the individual must have been active in pop culture and art for more than fifteen years. So, KMCA believes that the Military Service Act’s revision only benefits BTS, even there will be the 2nd generation of BTS in the future.

Furthermore, the KMCA also believes that the new mandatory enlistment postponement law is discriminatory to other fields of business. Such as people who build start-up companies and those who are pursuing their degrees abroad.

BTS members mandatory military service enlistment.

BTS Jin is turning 29 this year, and the new South Korea’s military service enlistment law allows him to postpone his military service enlistment.

The rest of the BTS members can postpone their mandatory military service enlistment two years longer than the average person.

Moreover, at a press conference to release BTS’s new album, BE, Jin was asked about mandatory military service enlistment. He answered if there was a duty call from the country and comes at the right time, he would accept it at any time. Jin also added that all the BTS members would take the mandatory military service enlistment.

ARMY’s reactions over the KMCA’s complaints

Many people disagree with KMCA action and statement for complaining BTS military enlistment law. They think that with such stringent criteria and standards for the law not to be overused. Many ARMY supports the septet by trending BTS PAVED THE WAY and BTS IS THE STANDARD on Twitter.

Debuted in 2013 and almost disbanded in the early year, BTS earned the Order of Cultural Merit in 2018.

NO ONE HAS YET TO REACH 2018 BTS

BTS IS THE STANDARD
BTS PAVED THE WAY
BTS SOUTH KOREA’S PRIDE@BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/k17iek2joV

— ًsammie⁷ semi ia (@stroberiyoongi) April 9, 2021

There are two significant achievements of South Korea for the last 60 years.

“South Korea has made 2 major achievements for the last 60yrs. Firrst is its democracy and economic development, the second was producing BTS.”

BTS SOUTH KOREA’s PRIDE
BTS IS THE STANDARD
BTS PAVED THE WAY pic.twitter.com/3zFwXVk6iO

— ᴮᴱ⁷ KTH 𐤀 🌸💜 (@kth1comingg) April 8, 2021

BTS has topped the charts and earned many awards.

-order of cultural merit recipients -UNICEF ambassadors
-time most influential people
-highest honor van fleet award
– first korean act in history
– south korea pride

bangtan all did that in their twenties and will do alot more 💅
BTS IS THE STANDARD , BTS PAVED THE WAY !! pic.twitter.com/moqGg72Qmb

— MAYCEE ⁷ ⟭⟬ abyss 🐹🐯🍊 (@seokjinmylabsss) April 9, 2021

An ARMY listing BTS’ outstanding achievements

BTS PAVED THE WAY, BTS WORLD DOMINATION, BTS LEGENDS, BTS IS THE STANDARDpic.twitter.com/hoRaL0QXtJ

— ً Ｖｅｒｏ ♡︎’s ᴀnna⁷ 🌸 (@Taetaelove_3658) April 8, 2021

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