Singer Park Seo Jin is caught in a heated controversy after revelations about his military exemption sparked public outrage.
Despite previously expressing his willingness to enlist, it has come to light that he was exempted from military service in his early 20s. Fans and critics alike are now questioning whether he misled the public about his intentions.
On December 1, an individual identified as "A" filed a formal complaint with the Military Manpower Administration and the KBS Viewers' Center. Titled “The Military Manpower Administration Must Verify the Authenticity of Park Seo Jin’s Military Exemption Timing to Prevent Public Confusion Regarding Military Administration”, the petition demands a reexamination of the circumstances behind Park Seo Jin’s exemption.
The petitioner stated, “Park Seo Jin spoke about his plans to enlist in interviews from March and October of last year, as well as July of this year. However, it was later revealed that he had already been exempted in his early 20s. This raises serious doubts about the truthfulness of his statements.”
Adding to the suspicion, the petitioner pointed out that an MBC interview with Park Seo Jin was reportedly edited after news of his exemption surfaced. “This edit appears to have been done at the request of his agency, suggesting an attempt to conceal certain facts”, they claimed.
The controversy deepened as parallels were drawn to actor Yoo Ah In, who underwent multiple reexaminations before receiving his exemption. “Did Park Seo Jin also receive a reexamination recently, despite being declared exempt years ago?” the petitioner asked.
The backlash stems from Park Seo Jin’s public statements about his enlistment. In one interview, he mentioned, “There are goals I want to achieve before enlisting”, leading fans to believe he was planning to serve. However, it was later revealed that he had been exempted due to depression and sleep disorders.
The singer’s personal hardships have also been brought into the discussion. Park Seo Jin previously shared details about his challenging family life, including the deaths of his two brothers, his mother’s battle with cancer, and his decision to drop out of high school to support his family. While some sympathize with his struggles, others believe they do not justify his lack of transparency about his military exemption.
Adding fuel to the fire, another petition was filed on November 30 by a former entertainment journalist identified as “B”.
They alleged that Park Seo Jin showed no signs of mental illness a decade ago and even relied on fan support for his rent. “He was cheerful and active, unlike what he claims now,” B stated, questioning the validity of his exemption.
Critics are now urging Park Seo Jin and his agency to address the controversy directly. “As a public figure, Park Seo Jin has a responsibility to clarify these allegations. His silence only adds to the suspicions,” petitioner A concluded.
The debate has left fans divided, with some calling for his removal from KBS programs and others defending him based on his difficult past. As the issue continues to gain traction, all eyes are on Park Seo Jin for a clear and honest response.
Source: [1]
