Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
BTS member Suga has started the process for his military enlistment.
On Aug. 7, Big Hit Music, BTS’ agency, announced about “BTS Suga’s Military Enlistment and Future Plans.”
“We would like to inform our fans that SUGA has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement. We will inform you of further updates in due course,” it said.
BTS’ Suga at his “Suga | Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’ The Final” concert (Big Hit Music)
It added, “We ask you for your continued love and support for SUGA until he completes his military service and safely returns. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artist.”
The announcement was made a day after Suga held his “Suga | Agust D Tour ‘D-Day’ The Final” on Aug. 6. The three-day concert was also held on Aug. 4 and 5.
Under a law, all BTS members were granted the privilege to postpone their military enlistment until age 30. All Korean men must enlist by age 28.
In 2021, all the members applied last year to postpone their military service based on a new law revising Korea’s Military Service Act promulgated on Dec. 22, 2020, which allows outstanding pop culture artists like BTS to postpone the start of their military service until they reach 30 years old.
The law took effect on June 23, 2021 and specifies that artists who are qualified for the privilege are those who are recipients of cultural medals and recommended by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST).
BTS members were bestowed the Hwagwan (Flower Crown) Order of Cultural Merit in October 2018 for their contribution to spreading Hallyu, or Korean Wave, around the world.
They applied for the postponement of their military service in 2021 and were recommended by the culture ministry.
Like Jin and J-Hope, Suga needs to submit his application to the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) to cancel the privilege granted to him by law so he could receive a notice about his military enlistment date.
Suga will be the third member of BTS to enlist. Jin enlisted on Dec. 13, 2022 and will be discharged on June 12, 2024.
J-Hope started his service on April 18 this year and will be discharged on Oct. 17, 2024.
— Jonathan Hicap
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Credit belongs to : www.mb.com.ph
