Song Min-ho: "I take full responsibility for my poor service"... Reports panic disorder and bipolar disorder [Star Scene] [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

WINNER member Song Min-ho completely denied allegations of conspiring with A, the person in charge of managing his service as a social service agent, to violate the Military Service Act.

He appeared as a witness at the third trial regarding A's charge of violating the Military Service Act, held on the 14th before Judge Kim of the Criminal Division 10 at Seoul Western District Court.

On this day, Song Min-ho first explained why he was assigned to serve as a social service agent and what psychiatric conditions he suffers from. He stated, "I was assigned to serve as a social service agent due to bipolar disorder and panic disorder that I have been suffering from for some time. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It involves alternating periods of mania and depression depending on the season. Panic disorder is a condition where one falls into a panic in unexpected situations."

He continued, "I don't remember well how my condition was when I started my military service, but if classified into low, medium, or high severity, I would say it was moderate. As my service progressed, there were times when my condition worsened and times when it improved. The illness itself is difficult to predict." He added that his health condition changed after he began his service.

According to Song Min-ho, his bipolar disorder and panic disorder caused significant disruptions in both daily life and military service. He said, "Although it is a condition controlled by medication, the drugs themselves are so strong that my mental clarity sometimes became blurred even during the day."

Furthermore, Song Min-ho claimed that he received an opinion from his attending physician stating that he could no longer continue military service, and that the physician had originally advised against serving in the military altogether. He also stated that both the Military Manpower Administration and medical personnel expressed opinions that he was unfit for service, yet Song Min-ho still wished to complete his service. "It was my own desire to finish my service until the end. In fact, I now regret it," he admitted.

Song Min-ho claimed that even when it was time to go to work in the morning, he sent messages to A citing health reasons when his condition made it difficult to report for duty. He also stated that he received urging from A, such as being told, "You must report for duty properly."

However, regarding the Prosecution Service's claim that Song Min-ho conspired with A to violate the Military Service Act or that A had previously informed him that he did not need to report for duty during certain periods, Song Min-ho said, "It is difficult for me to determine whether that was the case, but I believe it was not. It has nothing to do with me. I never conspired."

Moreover, although Song Min-ho built a close relationship with A by providing career counseling on dance-related matters for A's child, lending money, and going fishing together for one night and two days, he denied suggestions that "all these actions were done in exchange for helping me leave my post," stating, "That is completely untrue. It was not done simply out of personal friendship."

Song Min-ho even forgot how he used to leave work during his military service. When the court asked, "When reporting for duty, you signed a daily attendance record. Was the staff member in charge A?" and "Did you go directly to A's desk to sign before reporting for duty?", Song Min-ho replied, "Yes."

Song Min-ho served as a social service agent from March 2023 to December 2024. It has been less than two years since his discharge from the reserve forces.

However, when asked if he left work in the same manner, Song Min-ho said, "I don't remember well."

He also stated, "There were times I always rode a motorcycle to work, but on days with heavy snowfall, A showed consideration for me. In winter, my condition was often in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, which made it difficult. A was very concerned about these aspects."

Currently, Song Min-ho is accused of unauthorized absence from his workplace, including more than 100 days of absenteeism while working as a social service agent at a facility in Mapo-gu from March 2023 to December the following year. A is accused of neglecting supervision despite being aware of Song Min-ho's poor work performance.

In April, the Prosecution Service recommended 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 would like to offer my apologies. As a young person of the Republic of Korea, I failed to faithfully fulfill my national defense obligation until the end. I am well aware that neither bipolar disorder nor panic disorder can ever serve as an excuse or justification. All that remains is deep regret over my choices. I am currently undergoing intensive treatment. If I recover and am given another opportunity to serve, I wish to complete it faithfully until the end."

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*This content was translated by AI.