Parliamentary audit flags fairness gaps in arts and sports exemptions as officials pledge reforms

A parliamentary audit of the Military Manpower Administration during a Defense Committee session brought to light questions about the fairness of military service exemptions for arts and sports personnel.

Representative Seong Il-jong argued that BTS could have been exempted merely by amending the enforcement decree of the Military Service Act, contending that the law’s current framework already leaves the door open to such changes.

Under Korea’s Military Service Act, exemptions for arts and sports personnel are intended for individuals who have achieved notable performance in arts or athletics. The program, introduced in 1973, now primarily targets Olympic medalists (top three finishes), Asian Games champions, and winners of international or domestic arts competitions recognized by the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).

Seong claimed that if the enforcement decree were revised, artists and musicians who have won global awards could also be classified as arts and sports personnel for exemption purposes.

Asked whether Nobel Prize laureates would be eligible for exemption, MMA head Hong So-yeong replied, “No.” Seong pressed further, noting that even winners of major international music awards like the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards do not qualify for exemptions. Yet, he warned, roughly 210 people have benefited over the past decade from “appearance-only” international contests that produced top results.

Among the 35 competitions currently recognized for arts exemptions, 11 are held domestically. Of these 11 domestic events, five are domestic arts competitions in which all participants are known to be Korean nationals.

Seong questioned the logic of five “international” events that are, in fact, domestic, arguing that if 91% of exemption beneficiaries come from these domestically labeled international events, the system cannot be considered fair or balanced. Hong acknowledged concerns about fairness.

Seong also challenged the broader impact: “If people who generated an economic effect of 56 trillion won are not granted exemptions, while others who did not contribute as much to Korea receive military benefits, which citizen can accept this as fair?” Hong replied that reforms would be pursued in close coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to address these issues.