Kisik Lee, the Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, emphasized in a conversation with Munhwa Ilbo on the 3rd that “BTS members, currently serving in the armed forces, have garnered significant public approval for their exemplary military performance, sending a highly positive signal to the nation regarding the fairness of military service compliance.” He added, “People are watching as BTS members are selected for special assignments like the Military Police Special Duty Team (SDT·V) and drill instructor at the recruit training center (Jin, J-Hope), and even during their military service, BTS songs are hitting the Billboard charts. If all BTS members are discharged from the military in the next couple of years and the group becomes whole again, their popularity will rise even higher.”
The head of the administration is set to announce significant reforms to the special military service system, which affects athletes and artists, amid declining military resources and evolving public views on military service, as highlighted by the enlistment of BTS members. Lee stated, “This month, we plan to establish a task force including representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Military Manpower Administration, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to revise the special military service system for athletes and artists. We’re considering several options, including abolishing the system, to ensure fairness in military duty while building consensus among the public. We also intend to reevaluate the broader supplemental service system.” He added, “Our goal is to adjust the system in a way that resonates with the public consensus. We aim to support professional research and industrial manpower to boost national competitiveness and foster emerging industries. We will also assess the public health doctor system and other areas of public interest to ensure they benefit all citizens.”
Regarding the preparation for drug tests for enlistees starting in the second half of 2024, the head of the administration said, “We have prepared legal grounds to conduct drug tests on enlistees. We have secured a budget of KRW 690 million (USD 585,000) and 10 personnel. We thoroughly prepare for the drug tests with the Ministry of Defense and the Food and Drug Administration. This preparation includes selecting test items (6 types of drugs), purchasing test reagents, and improving the drug test result sharing system.”