South Korea’s parliament modified a rule to allow internationally recognised K-pop artists to postpone their required military service until they are 30 years old. This measure was established expressly to make exceptions for K-pop celebrities who contribute to the economy as well as promote the culture of South Korea. BTS, one of the most well-known K-pop groups in the world, was the main attraction on just this bill.
South Korean legislation mandates obligatory military duty for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28. “All persons shall have the responsibility of national defence within the conditions as stipulated by Act,” says Article 39 of South Korea’s constitution, which went into effect in July 1948.
Men in South Korea must serve in the military when they turn 19 years old, according to the Military Service Act of 1949, which went into effect in 1957.
Enlistment for military duty inside the country started at the age of eighteen. Enlistment implies “a person under a duty to serve in the armed forces joins the military unit through conscription, call-up, or application,” according to the Military Service Act. Women in South Korea are not required to serve in the military, although they may do so if they desire.
Military duty in South Korea lasts about 18 months, giving it one of the world’s longest, however, the time varies depending upon that branch of the military where the service is performed.
Those who serve as active duty members, as well as those who work as non-active duty personnel, are separated in the military.
Active service troops in the South Korean Army and Marine Corps serve for one year and six months inside the Army and Marine Corps, respectively. They fight for one year now and eight months inside the Navy and one year and nine months in the Air Force.
Non-active duty people operate as ‘public service workers’ for one year now and nine months in various departments of the government.