'Conscription Scandal' Song Min-ho, First Court Hearing Today (21st).. What Will He Say? [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

WINNER's Song Min-ho will finally appear in court on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

The Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 10 will hold the first trial session on the 21st for Song Min-ho and A, his supervisor responsible for managing his service. Previously, the Seoul Western District Prosecution Service's Criminal Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Won Shin-hye) filed non-detained indictments against the two on December 30, 2025, on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

According to the Prosecution Service, Song Min-ho worked as a social service agent at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024 but is accused of leaving his workplace without valid reason and neglecting his attendance and duties. A is accused of neglecting supervision despite being aware of Song's poor work performance.

Song Min-ho, who was classified as a Class 4 supplementary service member during the conscription physical examination, fulfilled his military service obligation as a social service agent at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation from March 2023 and transferred his workplace to the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility in March 2024. However, doubts about poor work performance emerged just before his discharge from service. Frequent sick leave and unreliable attendance became issues. It is known that Song has been receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder.

Song Min-ho, who was discharged from service on December 23, 2024, faced allegations of neglecting his duties, such as failing to report to work properly during his time as a social service agent. Consequently, the Seoul Mapo Police Station conducted a summons investigation into Song on January 23, 2025, on charges of violating the Military Service Act. At that time, Song explained the facts regarding the allegations against him and stated that he "worked according to regulations" and "had no problems with his service," but the results of three separate investigations revealed that he largely admitted to poor service and unauthorized absence from his workplace.

In particular, according to the indictment submitted by the Prosecution Service, Song Min-ho was absent without leave for a total of 102 days while working as a social service agent at the Mapo-gu Facility Management Corporation and the Resident Convenience Facility, leaving his service without valid reason. The service period for a social service agent is 1 year and 9 months, and excluding weekends and public holidays, the total number of days he was required to work is approximately 430 days. Song was absent without leave for a period equivalent to about one-fourth of that time. In particular, in July 2024, he was absent for a total of 19 days. Out of 23 days he was required to work, he worked only 4 days.

Furthermore, the Prosecution Service determined that supervisor A also colluded with Song's unauthorized absences. It is reported that when Song claimed he would not come to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, A approved it and falsely prepared documents as if he had reported to work normally. Even specific details of the conspiracy have reportedly surfaced. A told Song in May 2023, "I have training tomorrow, so I won't come to work. Let's meet on May 31," informing him in advance that he would not be working, after which Song arbitrarily failed to report to work. The Prosecution Service further stated in the indictment that A subsequently prepared a daily service status report as if Song had reported to work.

In addition, Song Min-ho recently drew attention after being spotted at the VIP screening of the movie 'Method Acting' held at COEX Megabox in Seoul. Reports circulated online that he attended the event with his face covered by a mask and a hat. Given that a two-shot photo of Song Min-ho and Lee Dong-hwi was previously shared on online communities and Lee Dong-hwi himself confirmed their friendship on SNS by saying, "Thank you for the gift I received right after coming to Korea. (Song) Min-ho, this is cool, right?", questions arose as to whether Lee Dong-hwi had invited Song to this event.

However, in an interview with StarNews regarding the release of 'Method Acting,' Lee Dong-hwi drew a line, stating, "I did not invite Song Min-ho." He added, "I did not contact him; I only heard that he was present at the venue."

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*This content was translated by AI.