Male celebrities in South Korea who have not fulfilled their mandatory military duties will now face stricter travel rules.

The South Korean military has become much stricter when it comes to traveling abroad since an amendment to the Military Service Act was introduced in late May that limits international travel for South Korean men aged 25-27 to five times, with each trip to be no longer than six months.

The new rule is expected to have an impact on young male celebrities and athletes who previously weren’t restricted in terms of their travels.

(Yonhap)

The stricter rule comes amid a growing number of celebrities and athletes who postpone military enlistment due to activities abroad.

On Tuesday, the Military Manpower Administration held a conference for officials from the entertainment industry to explain the change with regards to conscription in detail.

One official from the MMA told local media that the new rule taking effect this year could help prevent celebrities from avoiding military service.

The new travel rule affects not just celebrities but all South Korean men who are aged between 25 and 27, according to an official at the MMA.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)