<p> K-pop sensations BTS may be allowed to continue performing and preparing for international concerts even while they undertake their mandatory military service in South Korea, the defence minister said Monday.</p>.<p>All South Korean able-bodied young men under the age of 30 must perform around two years of military service, mainly due to the fact that the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read—<a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/from-anti-to-v-live-a-k-pop-glossary-for-newbies-1126295.html" target="_blank">From 'Anti' to 'V Live': a K-pop glossary for newbies</a></strong></p>.<p>The spectre of conscription has long hovered over BTS, with its seven male stars ranging in age from 24-year-old Jungkook to Jin, 29, who must sign up by next year or risk jail time.</p>.<p>Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said during a parliament session that it could be in the national interest to find a way to keep the global stars on stage during their time in South Korea's military.</p>.<p>"I think there will be a way to give them time to practice in the military and to allow them to perform together if there is an overseas performance scheduled," he said.</p>.<p>"Since many people value the fact of serving in the military itself very highly, it could be more helpful for their popularity," he added, responding to a lawmaker's question on the topic.</p>.<p>South Korea grants exemptions from military service to some elite athletes, such as Olympic medallists, and classical musicians -- but pop stars do not qualify.</p>.<p>The lack of exemptions for BTS, who are credited with generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy, has sparked fierce debate in the past.</p>.<p>Who does -- and does not -- undertake military service is a highly-charged issue in South Korea.</p>.<p>Refusing to serve is a crime, and can lead to imprisonment and social stigma, but even so some South Koreans go to extreme measures -- trying to gain weight or having unnecessary surgery, for example -- to evade service, AFP has reported.</p>.<p>BTS have not shown any signs of trying to evade the draft.</p>.<p>"As a South Korean young man, I believe military service is a natural course. And as I have always said, I will answer the country's call whenever it comes," Jin said in 2020.</p>.<p>The group had already benefited from a 2020 revision to South Korea's conscription law, which moved the age limit for some entertainers to sign up from 28 to 30 years old.</p>.<p>A majority of South Koreans -- 59 percent -- favour expanding military service exemptions, but there is staunch opposition from young men who have already done it, local reports say.</p>
<p> K-pop sensations BTS may be allowed to continue performing and preparing for international concerts even while they undertake their mandatory military service in South Korea, the defence minister said Monday.</p>.<p>All South Korean able-bodied young men under the age of 30 must perform around two years of military service, mainly due to the fact that the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read—<a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/from-anti-to-v-live-a-k-pop-glossary-for-newbies-1126295.html" target="_blank">From 'Anti' to 'V Live': a K-pop glossary for newbies</a></strong></p>.<p>The spectre of conscription has long hovered over BTS, with its seven male stars ranging in age from 24-year-old Jungkook to Jin, 29, who must sign up by next year or risk jail time.</p>.<p>Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said during a parliament session that it could be in the national interest to find a way to keep the global stars on stage during their time in South Korea's military.</p>.<p>"I think there will be a way to give them time to practice in the military and to allow them to perform together if there is an overseas performance scheduled," he said.</p>.<p>"Since many people value the fact of serving in the military itself very highly, it could be more helpful for their popularity," he added, responding to a lawmaker's question on the topic.</p>.<p>South Korea grants exemptions from military service to some elite athletes, such as Olympic medallists, and classical musicians -- but pop stars do not qualify.</p>.<p>The lack of exemptions for BTS, who are credited with generating billions of dollars for the South Korean economy, has sparked fierce debate in the past.</p>.<p>Who does -- and does not -- undertake military service is a highly-charged issue in South Korea.</p>.<p>Refusing to serve is a crime, and can lead to imprisonment and social stigma, but even so some South Koreans go to extreme measures -- trying to gain weight or having unnecessary surgery, for example -- to evade service, AFP has reported.</p>.<p>BTS have not shown any signs of trying to evade the draft.</p>.<p>"As a South Korean young man, I believe military service is a natural course. And as I have always said, I will answer the country's call whenever it comes," Jin said in 2020.</p>.<p>The group had already benefited from a 2020 revision to South Korea's conscription law, which moved the age limit for some entertainers to sign up from 28 to 30 years old.</p>.<p>A majority of South Koreans -- 59 percent -- favour expanding military service exemptions, but there is staunch opposition from young men who have already done it, local reports say.</p>