S. Korea Considers Letting BTS Perform during Military Service

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Members of the Korean popular music group BTS might still be able to perform while serving in the military, South Korea's defense¹ minister said.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup spoke² to members of the National Assembly on Monday. Lee said that, by letting BTS continue performing, the military could serve national interests. He said the move would not further affect the decreasing number of young men able to serve in the military because of low birth rates.

"Even if they join the military, there would be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together if there are scheduled concerts abroad," Lee said.

He added, "As many people highly value (artists serving) in the military, that may help boost³ their popularity⁴ even more."

The minister made the comment as the country debates shortening⁶ the required military service for K-pop stars to three weeks from about two years.

The issue is becoming more urgent as the oldest member of the group, Jin, turns 30 next year. Under a 2019 revision of the law, internationally recognized K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until age 30.

In South Korea, all healthy men aged⁷ 18 to 28 must fulfill⁸ their duties in the military as part of efforts to defend against North Korea.

Some groups have won exemptions¹⁰ that permit them to delay their service in the armed forces or serve for a shorter period. These include medal-winners at the Olympics or Asian Games and classical musicians and dancers who win top prizes at certain competitions. In 2019, exemptions were added for internationally recognized Korean pop music stars. K-pop stars are permitted to delay their service until the age of 30.

The National Assembly is now debating a bill that would shorten⁵ military service for K-pop stars. The new administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol is also considering exemptions for some engineers and researchers in the computer chip and other technology fields.

BTS' representative, Big Hit, did not answer a request for comment from the Reuters news agency.

In April, a Big Hit official said some members were having a "hard time" because of "uncertainties¹¹" over the debate, calling for a decision. The seven-member group announced in June that they would take a break from musical activities together to do individual projects.

Since its first performance in 2013, BTS has become a worldwide success with its music and social campaigns aimed at young people.

BTS became the first Asian musical group to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards last year. In May, they met U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians.

A South Korean research group estimated in 2018 that BTS would support $43 billion in economic activity between 2014 and 2023.

Words in This Story

scheduled –adj. something that is planned for a certain time

concert –n. a musical performance

boost –v. to increase the force, power or amount of something

exemption⁹ –n. freedom from being required to do something that others are required to do

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 boost   

n.鼓励，激励，提高；v.鼓励，使增强信心

参考例句：

• This will be a great boost to the economy.这对于经济发展将是一个巨大的促进。
• These changes will help to boost share prices.这些变化将有助于提高股票价格。

4 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

5 shorten   

vt.弄短，缩小，减少

参考例句：

• Minor accidents can shorten the life of a car.小事故会缩短汽车寿命。
• My dress is too long I must shorten it.我的连衣裙太长了，我得把它截短些。

6 shortening   

n.缩针，简写；酥油/雪白奶油v.弄短，缩短( shorten的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Instead, sarcomere shortening occurs when the thin filaments'slide" by the thick filaments. 此外，肌节的缩短发生于细肌丝沿粗肌丝“滑行”之际。 来自辞典例句
• Use peanut or safflower oil or solid vegetable shortening for frying. 用花生或红花油，或者食用油来起酥。 来自互联网

7 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

8 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。

9 exemption   

n.豁免，免税额，免除

参考例句：

• You may be able to apply for exemption from local taxes.你可能符合资格申请免除地方税。
• These goods are subject to exemption from tax.这些货物可以免税。

10 exemptions   

n.（义务等的）免除( exemption的名词复数 )；免（税）；（收入中的）免税额

参考例句：

• The exemptions for interpretive rules, policy statements, and procedural rules have just been discussed. 有关解释性规则、政策说明和程序规则的免责我们刚刚讨论过。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• A: The regulation outlines specific exemptions for some WPM. 答：该规定概述了某些木质包装材料的特定的例外情形。 来自互联网

11 uncertainties   

无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物

参考例句：

• One of the uncertainties of military duty is that you never know when you might suddenly get posted away. 任军职不稳定的因素之一是你永远不知道什么时候会突然被派往它处。
• Uncertainties affecting peace and development are on the rise. 影响和平与发展的不确定因素在增加。 来自汉英非文学 - 十六大报告