[Breaking News] 'Admitted to Poor Service' Song Min-ho: "If Given the Chance, I Will Serve Again" [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Song Min-ho, a former member of WINNER, admitted his wrongdoing during the trial for violating the Military Service Act. The Prosecution Service has requested a prison sentence for Song Min-ho.

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

On this day, the Prosecution Service requested a one-year and six-month prison sentence for Song Min-ho, who admitted to all charges in the indictment.

In his final statement, Song Min-ho said, "I sincerely apologize to everyone. Mental illness such as bipolar disorder and panic disorder must not be used as an excuse or alibi for failing to fulfill the duty of national defense. I am ashamed to have shown such an embarrassing image. I hope to recover my health as soon as possible and, if given the opportunity to serve again, I will accept it."

According to the Prosecution Service, Song Min-ho worked as a social service worker 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 also accused of neglecting supervision despite being aware of Song Min-ho's poor work performance.

Song Min-ho, who was classified as a Class 4 supplementary duty candidate during the conscription physical examination, fulfilled his military service obligation as a social service worker at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation starting in 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 duty. Frequent sick leave and unreliable attendance became issues. It is known that Song Min-ho has been receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder.

Song Min-ho, who was discharged from duty on December 23, 2024, faced allegations of neglecting his duties, including failing to report to work properly during his time as a social service worker. Consequently, the Seoul Mapo Police Station conducted a summons investigation into Song Min-ho on January 23, 2025, on charges of violating the Military Service Act. At that time, Song Min-ho explained the facts regarding the allegations against him and stated that he "worked according to regulations" and "had no issues with his service." However, after three rounds of investigations, it was 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 worker at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation and the Resident Convenience Facility, leaving his duty without valid reason. The service period for social service workers is one year and nine months, with approximately 430 days of required attendance excluding weekends and public holidays. Song Min-ho was absent without leave for a period equivalent to about one-quarter of the total required days. Notably, in July 2024, he was absent for a total of 19 days. Out of 23 days he was required to work, he worked only four days.

Furthermore, the Prosecution Service determined that manager A was involved in Song Min-ho's unauthorized absences. It is reported that when Song Min-ho claimed he would not report to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, A approved it and falsely prepared documents as if he had reported to work normally. The indictment explicitly states that in May 2023, A told Song Min-ho, "I have training tomorrow, so I won't be at work; let's meet on May 31," informing him in advance that he would not be present, after which Song Min-ho arbitrarily failed to report to work and subsequently prepared daily service status records as if he had reported to work.

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*This content was translated by AI.