The Ministry of National Defense has refuted claims that BTS member V, or Kim Tae-hyung, received preferential treatment while serving in the military that allowed phone use during prohibited hours. The allegations surfaced recently after former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin mentioned in an interview that she had received a text message from V last year while he was in the military. On Thursday, the ministry addressed the complaints filed with the military police regarding suspicions that V used a mobile phone outside the designated hours at the army training center.
"At the army training center where Kim served, trainees are allowed to use mobile phones for one hour on weekends and public holidays. It has been confirmed that Kim used his phone during these approved hours, not during early morning hours as claimed," a defense ministry official said. "There was no instance where Kim was granted special permission or any leniency to use his phone outside the standard guidelines.
" Due to privacy laws, the ministry declined to reveal specific details regarding the timing, method, and content of V's phone conversation with Min. The controversy began after Min appeared on music critic Kim Young-dae’s YouTube broadcast “School of Music” last month, commenting, "V occasionally calls from the military. On one occasion, he called and asked if I was okay amid all the issues (involving Hybe).
He even sent me a text to wish me a happy birthday early in the morning." Min’s birthday falls on.
