K-pop boy band Seventeen's Jeonghan / Courtesy of Pledis Entertainment

Jeonghan of K-pop boy group Seventeen will begin his alternative military service next Thursday, the group's agency said.

Jeonghan, who turns 29 next month, will be the first member of the 13-piece group to serve in the Korean military.

In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military.

Pledis Entertainment, the group's agency, did not specify what type of alternative service he will be performing in Thursday's announcement.

However, he was previously assigned to social service, an alternative form of the active-duty military service, after undergoing surgery to reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament.

The agency said Jeonghan will be unable to participate in Seventeen's upcoming promotional activities for its 12th EP and world tour due to the military service. However, fans will still be able to enjoy what Jeonghan filmed prior to his enlistment, it added. (Yonhap)