[Official] Song Min-ho's 102-day re-service decision was not finalized… Military Manpower Administration: "Must await final judgment"

*This content was translated by AI.

The Military Manpower Administration stated that regarding the issue of whether Song Min-ho of the idol group WINNER will be required to re-serve following his suspended sentence for violating the Military Service Act, "it has not yet been finally confirmed."

A source from the Military Manpower Administration told StarNews on the 1st, "Once the judgment regarding Song Min-ho's charges of violating the Military Service Act is finally finalized, he is expected to re-serve for a number of days equal to the days he was absent from service, and procedures will be carried out to this end."

However, the source added, "Today's judgment is a first-instance ruling, so it has not been finally finalized."

Earlier on the same day, Criminal Division 10 of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Song Min-ho, who was prosecuted for violating the Military Service Act, to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence.

The court stated regarding Song Min-ho, "Military service is a fundamental obligation of the state that must be fulfilled diligently. There can be no exception for alternative service personnel," while explaining the sentencing rationale by noting that "he has admitted all charges and is showing remorse, and his health condition appears to have affected his military service."

Song Min-ho was prosecuted on charges of leaving his post without justifiable cause and neglecting attendance and duties while working as an alternative service personnel at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024.

Song Min-ho, who received a Class IV supplementary reserve classification in his military physical examination, fulfilled his military service obligation as an alternative service personnel at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation starting in March 2023, and transferred his work location to the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility starting in March 2024. However, suspicions of inadequate performance arose ahead of his release from active duty. Frequent sick leave and insincere attendance records became issues. It is known that Song Min-ho had been receiving treatment for panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and other conditions during this period.

Song Min-ho, who was released from active duty on December 23, 2024, faced suspicions of neglecting his duties, such as failing to properly attend work while serving as an alternative service personnel. In response, the Mapo Police Station in Seoul conducted a summons investigation on January 23, 2025, regarding Song Min-ho, who had been registered as a suspect for violating the Military Service Act. At the time, Song Min-ho explained the facts regarding the suspicions raised against him and testified to the effect that "he worked according to regulations" and "there were no problems with his service." However, it was revealed that after three rounds of investigation, he largely admitted to inadequate service and leaving his post.

In particular, according to the indictment submitted by the Prosecution Service, Song Min-ho was absent without permission for a total of 102 days while working as an alternative service personnel at the Mapo-gu Facility Management Corporation and the Resident Convenience Facility, thereby leaving his service without justifiable cause. The service period for alternative service personnel is one year and nine months, requiring approximately 430 days of attendance excluding weekends and public holidays. Song Min-ho effectively left his post without permission for a period equivalent to about one-quarter of this time. In particular, he was absent for a total of 19 days in July 2024. He was required to work on 23 days but only worked for four days.

Subsequently, in his final statement, Song Min-ho said, "I would like to offer my apologies to the presiding judge and everyone present here," adding, "As a young person of the Republic of Korea, I failed to diligently fulfill my duty of national defense to the very end. I am suffering from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, but I am well aware that this illness must never serve as an excuse or pretext. As someone who receives the love of many people, seeing myself fail to set a good example in such a shameful manner truly makes me feel sorry. Only great regret remains regarding my choices."

He continued, "I am currently undergoing treatment diligently. I hope to recover my health as soon as possible and, if given the opportunity to re-serve, to complete it diligently to the very end," adding, "I would like to offer my apologies once again."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.