The South Korean National Assembly's defence committee on Friday passed a bill that would allow famous male popstars to defer their mandatory military enlistment. The passage of the bill is to revise the Military Service Act to grant an exceptional right to defer military duties of acclaimed pop artists, such as BTS, the seven-member acclaimed boyband, reports Yonhap News Agency. The bill must now pass parliament's plenary session for final approval. People’s Choice Awards 2020 Complete Winners List: Khloe Kardashian, BTS, Taylor Swift Take Away the Big Wins!

The revision was proposed by Representative Jeon Yong-gi of the ruling Democratic Party in September after BTS became the first South Korean pop group to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 with its song "Dynamite". Under the current military law, BTS's eldest member Jin, born in 1992, is subject to enlistment by the end of the year. All able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military for about two years. BTS’ Virtual Acceptance Speech For People’s Choice Awards 2020 Goes Viral, Congratulations Pour in For the Boy Band on Social Media (Watch Video)

Military service exceptions or deferrals have been only given to international award-winning athletes and classical musicians in recognition of their roles in promoting the country's reputation overseas under the existing law.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2020 02:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).