TL;DR
- South Korea proposes extending military service deferral to age 30 for global cultural influencers
- Faker and BTS members could delay mandatory 21-month service under new legislation
- Current system allows exemptions for athletes winning international competitions only
- Military service disruptions have significantly impacted Korean athletes’ careers
- The bill faces public criticism over perceived preferential treatment for celebrities
South Korean lawmakers are currently evaluating significant modifications to the nation’s mandatory military conscription framework, potentially creating new pathways for cultural ambassadors to postpone their service obligations.
Based on comprehensive reporting from Inven and translated analysis by TL.net’s Kwanghee Woo, legislative proposals aim to grant prominent international figures extended deferment options. The legislation specifically identifies esports legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and global music phenomenon BTS as primary beneficiaries of these potential changes.
A new bill is being planned in Korea (might as well call it the “BTS and Faker bill”), to allow individuals who have made significant contributions to Korea’s global image through pop culture and/or esports to delay their military service until age 30. https://t.co/aBHaKPLMTv
— Kwanghee Woo (@SaintSnorlax) September 2, 2020
Should this legislation receive parliamentary approval, Korean nationals like Faker would gain substantial flexibility in managing their military obligations. The current system mandates 21 consecutive months of active duty service for all eligible male citizens, regardless of their international residence status. Present regulations require conscription completion before reaching 28 years of age.
The successful enactment of this bill would represent a transformative development for South Korea’s competitive gaming community and entertainment professionals. Military service exemptions remain a deeply sensitive and contentious topic within Korean societal discourse.
Military Service Impact on Korean Careers
Compulsory military duty in South Korea has consistently presented formidable challenges for the nation’s athletic talent pool. Mixed martial arts competitor Jung “The Korean Zombie” Chan-Sung exemplifies this struggle, having sacrificed three peak competitive years to fulfill military requirements. Similarly, K-pop group BIGBANG experienced significant professional disruption when members sequentially entered military service, effectively halting group activities and international touring schedules.
The esports domain faces parallel complications, as demonstrated by Dota 2 professional Park “March” Tae-won’s experience. The TNC Predator team captain departed from MVP Phoenix in 2016 to complete military obligations, resulting in exclusion from competitive play across three complete tournament seasons.
While Jung and March experienced substantial career setbacks, certain elite athletes can circumvent mandatory military service through exceptional international achievements that enhance South Korea’s global prestige. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin and Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min both secured full exemptions following gold medal performances at the Asian Games. Olympic medalists and other internationally recognized athletic performers have similarly obtained service waivers.
Although Faker and similar high-profile figures would substantially benefit from preserving their peak revenue-generating years, this proposed legislation hasn’t received universal acceptance within South Korea. The existing exemption framework and proposed extended deferments face criticism from segments of the population who perceive these policies as special privileges for the wealthy and famous.
League of Legends enthusiasts and BTS fan communities will probably welcome these potential modifications if they become enacted into law.
Action Checklist
- Research current South Korean military service requirements and exemption criteria
- Monitor legislative progress of the ‘BTS and Faker Bill’ through official channels
- Analyze career impact case studies of affected athletes and entertainers
- Compare existing sports exemption systems with proposed cultural figure deferments
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » T1 Faker’s mandatory military service could soon be delayed South Korea's proposed military service reforms for global celebrities and esports stars explained