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Images of BTS’ RM recently shared on the South Korean presidential website garnered criticism online from fans. On September 17, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, visited the 15th Division of the Army in Gangwon-do Province on the second day of Chuseok, a Korean harvest festival.
Notably, BTS’ RM is also deployed to the 15th Infantry Division for his military conscription tenure. There were several images shared on the official website of the South Korean President where he is seen inspecting the Medical Battalion and interacting with the officials and soldiers at the unit.
One of the images included a group picture of the president alongside the troops, and eagled fans spotted RM in the photo. The soldiers were raising their fists and clapping according to the photograph.
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The BTS rapper was also seen standing relatively close to the president, although he did not stand beside him. This enraged the fans, as they alleged that RM's position in the photograph does not seem to be a coincidence.
They believed that it was for political purposes and voiced their opinion about the photograph on social media, criticizing the presidential website for allegedly using RM for promotional purposes.
“Tell me this is not intentional at all gosh,” one fan said.
“It was definitely intentional. someone free him from this hell,” another fan said.
“No need for discussion even. not just the placement but that exact division visit was 100% intentional n the tv stations reported on it immediately while zooming into namjoon. they declined his invitations while they had free will n now hes using them while he can,” a user stated.
Many netizens shared the same thoughts about the picture.
“Years of sk president not getting any photo ops with bts and this is what it took to get it,” a user commented.
“It was so intentional. The only way President Yoon can “appear” to get a BTS endorsement is a forced photo shoot during military enlistment,” a fan stated.
“Not to be a conspiracy theorist, but y’all can’t tell me that placement wasn’t intentional,” a fan wrote.
Netizens also alleged that the K-pop idol appeared to be seemingly uncomfortable.
“Namjoon looks uncomfortable as sh*t standing next to that man,” a user said.
“Joon got that fake smile on that he always had in american interviews,” another user added.
“The way the tannies been avoiding this mf like the plague, he said I’ll get that photo op by force if I must,” a fan stated.
More about BTS’ RM's military life and recent activities
RM began his military service on December 11, 2023, alongside his fellow BTS member V at the Nonsan training center and completed his five-week basic training. He was later deployed to the 15th Infantry Division, a frontline army unit located in Gangwon-do Province, South Korea. In March 2024, RM got an early promotion to the Private First Class position.
On August 1, 2024, he became a corporal and shared this news with his fans and followers through Instagram Stories. On September 18, RM interacted with fans on Weverse and replied to fans' comments, revealing the one thing that made him happy recently. He shared that the 50 percent completion of his mandatory service made him happy.
The BTS leader is expected to be discharged in 2025 and reunited with his group members.
