After actor Na In-woo, idol group Teen Top member Niel has attracted attention by receiving a long-term deferral from military service.
On the 22nd, it became widely known that Niel had received military exemption. In a recent comeback interview, Niel revealed the fact of his military exemption, and as the media freeze was lifted, this fact became widely known.
In the interview, Niel said, "I heard that many people are curious about my military service issue. I think it would be good to talk about that part first." He explained, "I received a social service agent classification for personal reasons in 2021 and was waiting to enlist, but in 2024, I received a long-term deferral classification for military labor service." However, he reportedly remained tight-lipped about the specific reasons for receiving the social service agent classification.
Niel is not the first to receive military exemption while waiting to enlist. In particular, it became a topic of discussion that actor Na In-woo also received military exemption through the same process as Niel. According to his agency, Na In-woo also received a 4th grade reserve classification and was waiting to be summoned as a social service agent when he reached the three-year long waiting period, at which point he received a military labor service classification.
However, Na In-woo also refrained from providing specific reasons for his 4th grade reserve classification. In this regard, he cautiously explained at the production presentation of the MBC drama "Motel California," "I believe choosing silence was the right decision. One of the reasons many people like me is my bright and positive demeanor, so no matter how difficult it was, I couldn't bring myself to show that. I find it hard to discuss the diagnosis for personal reasons, but I hope people will see me as I am."
The cases of Niel and Na In-woo are bringing renewed attention to the incidents of individuals unexpectedly receiving military exemption while awaiting enlistment. In reality, under current military service laws, the waiting period for social service agents is three years. During this period, delays for enlistees occur for reasons such as the lack of suitable placement or work for alternative military service.
However, the number of young people exempt from military service due to administrative reasons has reportedly exceeded 10,000 annually since 2019. In the context of a society where military service qualifications are prioritized, there is an increasing call for the amendment of military service laws regarding the emergence of those classified as "non-served" due to administrative shortcomings.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]