PLEDIS Entertainment has officially confirmed that SEVENTEEN’s members DK (Dokyeom) and Vernon will begin their mandatory South Korean military service on September 8 and August 20, respectively.
The announcement was shared through Weverse on July 27, with the agency outlining each member’s enlistment schedule and asking fans not to visit military training centers or service locations. According to PLEDIS, Vernon will begin his alternative military service as a social service agent on August 20, while DK will enlist as an active-duty soldier in the Army on September 8.
Before reporting for duty, both artists will complete their scheduled group and individual activities. PLEDIS also revealed that a variety of pre-recorded content has already been prepared, allowing Carats to continue receiving new videos and updates throughout their absence.
The company emphasized that enlistment sites will also host other recruits and their families, requesting fans to refrain from attending in person and instead send their support from afar.
The announcement arrives as SEVENTEEN continues navigating a staggered military enlistment period designed to minimize disruptions to the group’s long-term activities. Jeonghan became the first member to complete his service after being discharged on June 25, 2026, while Wonwoo is currently serving as a social service agent. Hoshi and Woozi began their active-duty military service in September 2025, with additional members including Mingyu, Seungkwan and Dino expected to enlist over the coming months.
Not every member is required to serve. Joshua, a U.S. citizen, along with Chinese members Jun and The8, are exempt from South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements. Leader S.Coups is also exempt because of a previous knee injury. Vernon, despite being born in the United States, is fulfilling his obligation after obtaining South Korean citizenship.
The timing is especially notable for Vernon, who recently launched the new SEVENTEEN sub-unit V8 alongside The8. The duo made its debut on June 29 with its self-titled EP, introducing a fresh creative chapter shortly before his enlistment.
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