A total of 587 Korean male celebrities have delayed their military enlistment for their career.
This was revealed by opposition lawmaker Rep. Kim Hack-yong who said that this resulted in 74 percent of the 794 celebrities due to enlist have postponed enlisting in the military.
While it is not illegal to postpone military enlistment, evading military service is with some notable stars being hauled to court for it.
Rep. Kim said delaying military service among entertainers is higher than other sectors like 43.3 percent for athletes and 47.5 percent of public servants.
He also said 44 percent of people belonging to the high-income bracket, who earn US$441,618 a year, have also delayed their mandatory duty.
Many Korean celebrities enlist in their late 20s or early 30s as they try to get as many projects as they could and establish their name.
Rep. Kim revealed that among the 587 who delayed enlistment, 77 belonged to YG Entertainment-related companies consisting of 50 from YG KPlus modeling agency and 27 are under contract with the agency.
YG Entertainment manages groups like Big Bang, Epik High, Winner and iKON.
FNC Entertainment has 32 celebrities who delayed enlistment and Liveworks Company and Starship Entertainment has 24 each.
Among the Korean celebrities who are currently serving in the military are Lee Min Ho, Siwan, Joo-won, Kang Ha-neul, JYJ's Junsu, 2PM's Taecyeon, Lee Soo-hyuk and Ji Chang-wook.
This year, Big Bang member T.O.P, who started his military service last February, became embroiled in a marijuana scandal for which he was convicted. He was dismissed from his duty as a conscripted policeman and will serve as a public service personnel.
Among those who were caught trying to evade military service were stars Song Seung-heon, MC Mong, Steve Yoo and Kim Mu-yeol.
The military service law in South Korea has been revised mandating the separate monitoring of military service of celebrities, athletes, high-income individuals and level 4 public servants and their kids.
"For a long time, the public has been suspicious over military duties of celebrities or athletes. I hope that the law revision will motivate them to responsibly fulfill their military duties," said Rep. Kim.
