SEOUL - An advertisement sponsored by the Japanese fan club of K-pop group BTS appeared on the front page of the Korean National Defense Daily Newspaper on Friday, extending support to BTS member Jin and the South Korean military.
According to a new release by Yonhap News Agency, the advertisement expressed "deep respect and gratitude for the dedication of soldiers of the South Korean service members who contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula." The fan club, known as the Japanese ARMY—an acronym for Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth—also marked the first anniversary of Jin's solo single "The Astronaut."
Jin commenced his 18-month mandatory military service in the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon County near the North Korean border in December of last year. He earned a promotion to corporal in July, achieving the rank two months ahead of regular timelines, according to the South Korean Army.
The Korean National Defense Daily Newspaper is published by the Defense Media Agency and is mainly subscribed to by members of the South Korean military. In June, South Korean fans of BTS had placed an advertisement in the same paper to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the group's debut, making it the first ad featuring a celebrity in the publication focused on military news.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to complete at least 18 months of compulsory military service, a requirement attributed to the ongoing military threats from North Korea.