▲ Kim Ki-sik, director of the Military Manpower Administration (right), and Song Seon-tae, chairman of the 5.18 Democratization Movement Fact-finding Investigation Committee
Director Lee Ki-sik of the Military Manpower Administration said today (7th), "I think it is desirable for BTS (the group BTS) to do military service as well."
Commissioner Lee responded to a question about BTS' military service at the National Defense Commission's National Assembly audit held today, saying, "The military service resources are decreasing, and fairness and equity are the most important things in fulfilling military service obligations."
Commissioner Lee's response to the National Inspectorate is consistent with Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's response to the National Defense Inspection on the 4th of this month.
Commissioner Lee has been cautious about granting special military service exemptions for BTS, and he has maintained that stance today.
Commissioner Lee responded, "I completely agree" with Assemblyman Kim's opinion that the conversion service should be abolished and the industrial support manpower should be reduced.
Commissioner Lee said, "The current situation is that we plan to reduce 1,200 people by 2026, including professional research personnel, industrial technical personnel, and onboard ship reserve service, and the conversion service such as combat police has already been abolished." I will continue to find things that can be reduced in the future and reduce them.”
Regarding the social service personnel, Commissioner Lee said, "As a result of the physical examination, social service personnel are level 4, and we are going to reduce the number of personnel."
“Because there is a shortage of manpower for military service, we will create a (new) standard for a new sword with the level required by the military so that they can go to active duty. We will reduce it,” he explained.
(Photo = Yonhap News)