Big Hit Music has confirmed that BTS member Suga will begin his mandatory military service this Friday, September 22. Suga will serve as social service personnel, a role typically reserved for those with specific circumstances such as health issues; in this case, possibly stemming from a surgery he underwent in 2020.
Social service personnel duties involve engaging in public interest activities and fulfilling roles defined by Korean law, often related to governmental agency responsibilities. The specifics of Suga’s duties in this role remain private.
In an official statement released on Sunday, Big Hit Music requested fans to give Suga privacy during his service time, urging them not to visit him at his workplace. The company emphasized, “There will not be any official events taking place on the day he starts his service or on the day he enters the training camp.”
Big Hit Music also emphasized its commitment to safeguard Suga’s intellectual property rights during his service period and vowed to take action against unauthorized commercial ventures involving Suga’s name or image.
Suga’s military service will last for 21 months, marking his expected discharge date on June 21, 2025. He is the third BTS member to begin the mandatory military service, following Jin and J-Hope who enlisted on December 13, 2022, and April 18, 2023, respectively.
The enlistment comes after the initiation of the enlistment process was confirmed on August 7, ending Suga’s postponement privileges granted under a revised Korean law that allows artists who have received cultural medals to postpone their service until the age of 30. BTS, recipients of the Flower Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 2018, benefitted from this law which came into effect on June 23, 2021.
Big Hit Music expressed gratitude towards the fans and asked for continued love and support for Suga until he completes his service and returns to the group. The company assured, “Our company will also strive to provide all the support he needs during this time.”