SONG MINHO
The Military Manpower Administration stated, regarding the possibility of re-service following the suspended sentence given to SONG MINHO, member of the idol group WINNER, for violation of the Military Service Act:
“It is not yet definitively confirmed.”
An official from the Military Manpower Administration stated on October 1 to the media outlet Star News: “When the judgment on the charges of violating the Military Service Act against SONG MINHO is definitively confirmed, he will perform a re-service equivalent to the number of days of desertion, and we will initiate the necessary procedures to that end.”
However, the official added: “Today’s judgment being a first-instance ruling, the verdict is not definitively confirmed.”
Earlier, the 10th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced SONG MINHO, prosecuted for violation of the Military Service Act, to a suspended sentence of one year in prison with a two-year probation period on this same day.
Regarding SONG MINHO, the court declared: “Military service is a fundamental duty of the State that must be performed conscientiously. Alternative service agents are no exception,” while explaining the grounds for the sentence: “He acknowledges all charges, shows remorse, and his state of health appears to have influenced his military service.”
SONG MINHO worked as an alternative service agent at a facility in Mapo District, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024, but he was prosecuted for abandoning his workplace without a valid reason and for neglecting his attendance as well as his duties.
Having been classified in supplemental service Level 4 during his conscript medical examination, SONG MINHO fulfilled his military duty as an alternative service agent at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation starting in March 2023, then was transferred to the Mapo Resident Welfare Center in March 2024. However, suspicions of deficient service erupted as his discharge approached. Frequent sick leave and unsatisfactory attendance posed problems. It is reported that SONG MINHO was receiving treatment for panic disorders and bipolar disorder.
SONG MINHO, who had been released from his duties on December 23, 2024, was subject to suspicions that he had neglected his work during his period as an alternative service agent by not showing up properly. The Seoul Mapo Police Station conducted an investigation after summoning SONG MINHO, who was indicted for violating the Military Service Act on January 23, 2025; at the time, SONG MINHO explained the facts regarding the accusations brought against him, declaring “that he worked according to the regulations” and “that there was no problem with his service”. However, following three investigation sessions, it was revealed that he generally admitted to deficient service and workplace abandonment.
In particular, according to the indictment submitted by the prosecution, SONG MINHO, while working as an alternative service agent at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation and the Mapo Resident Welfare Center, was absent without authorization for a total of 102 days, abandoning his service without a valid reason. The period of service for an alternative service agent being 1 year and 9 months, the total number of days he was required to report to work was approximately 430 days, excluding weekends and holidays. SONG MINHO thus abandoned his post without authorization for about a quarter of that period. Notably in July 2024, he abandoned his post for 19 days in total; while he was supposed to work 23 days, he only worked 4 days.
Subsequently, SONG MINHO stated in his final statement: “I would like to offer my apologies to the presiding judge and to everyone present here,” adding: “As a young man of the Republic of Korea, I was unable to conscientiously fulfill the duty of national defense assigned to me until the very end. I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorders, but I know very well that this illness should in no way serve as an excuse or pretext. As someone who receives love from many people, I feel truly sorry to show such a shameful image without being able to set an example. I am left with only deep regrets regarding my choices.”
He continued: “I am currently undergoing treatment diligently. I wish to restore my health as quickly as possible and, if given the opportunity to re-serve, I want to complete it conscientiously until the end,” adding: “I wish to offer my apologies once again.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS WINNER
