Most Male Stars Postpone Draft

Seven out of 10 male celebrities have postponed their mandatory military service, prompting the Military Manpower Administration to monitor individual cases. So far only the sons of high-ranking government officials were subject to such monitoring to ensure that they set an example for other young men.

According to Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim Hack-yong of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, 587 out of 794 celebrities plan to postpone the draft this year.

Some 43.3 percent of 24,716 athletes have also postponed the draft this year, while 1,369 top earners have done the same (US$1=W1,129).

Among the sons of senior government officials, 47.5 percent on the MMA's watch list have also postponed the draft.

"Celebrities and athletes are arousing suspicions about their willingness to obey the mandatory draft," Kim said. "I hope that better monitoring will persuade them to do their duty."