South Korean Government Clarifies Report About BTS’s Expenses For Envoy Activities

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism clarified a report stating that the South Korean government did not cover the expenses for BTS’s activities as special envoys in New York.

On September 30, Chosunilbo reported that the government had not covered any of BTS’s expenses including travel, lodging, and food expenses for their trip to New York with President Moon Jae In for their activities as special presidential envoys. The news outlet stated that BTS had accompanied President Moon Jae In, First Lady Kim Jung Sook, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee for three days in New York without receiving any travel allowance or special fee.

Following the report, a source from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated in a call with Newsen, “Upon checking, we have found that the government covered some of the expenses of BTS’s business trip.”

They continued, “The report that says the expenses were not covered at all is not true. The government partially covered the expenses, and we are checking the detailed records.”

The Blue House also spoke up about the report. A source shared, “We have already settled the expenses following the trip.” They added, “The government and agency had agreed in advance to settle part of the travel and lodging expenses of envoys BTS, who joined us in our visit [to New York]. In addition, the Blue House is very grateful for the activities carried out by the envoys.”

No Cut News explained that because the United Nations had also invited BTS as separate entity from the government, only some of the expenses related to BTS’s activities with President Moon Jae In and First Lady Kim Jung Sook were covered by the government.

In July, BTS was appointed the Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture. After the United Nations formally invited BTS to share a speech at General Assembly as youth representatives, BTS headed out to New York on September 18. On September 20, BTS delivered a speech at the Sustainable Development Goals Moment (SDG Moment) at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Source (1) (2) (3)