LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 03: Suga of BTS poses during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand … [+]
Suga, one of the most prolific and popular members of the globally adored K-pop band BTS, has officially kicked off his mandatory military service. While he may now be a part of the army—in addition to the ARMY, which BTS fans have named themselves—it seems he won’t be serving on the front lines, should there be a real battle.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, Suga has been deemed “unfit for the regular combat duty.” The specific reasons behind Suga’s assignment to a non-combat role have not been disclosed. The outlet suggests that he may have been assigned to a less physical role due to a surgery he underwent in 2020 to repair a torn labrum.
Instead of fighting, should there be any fighting, Soga will serve his country in another manner. The chart-topper has been chosen to serve as a social service agent in the South Korean military, though specifically what that means and what he’ll be doing during his time there wasn’t made clear.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to fulfill a military obligation that lasts more than a year. They must do so by a certain age, though the nation’s government did give BTS an extension, as the band was incredibly important to the South Korean economy.
Individuals with health concerns or conditions that prevent them from participating in regular combat duty may be assigned to alternative roles within the South Korean military, such as working in municipal government offices.
Suga is the third member of BTS to enlist in the South Korean military so far, but he won’t be the last. He follows Jin, whose enlistment began in December 2022, as well as and J-Hope, who officially entered the service in April of this year. Neither of those singers were deemed unfit for combat duty.
In a heartfelt message to BTS’s loyal fanbase, Suga expressed his gratitude for their support, saying, “I was able to come this far thanks to you. And the time has come.” He also promised that while he will be focused on his military work for at least a year, he will “faithfully complete my duty and come back.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/10/03/btss-suga-has-been-deemed-unfit-for-regular-combat-duty-in-the-korean-military/