[Exclusive]WINNER's Song Min-ho's service supervisor sentenced to two years' suspended prison term for violating the Military Service Act; files appeal against verdict

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A, the supervisory officer responsible for idol group WINNER member Song Min-ho during his alternative service as a social service agent, has appealed the first-instance ruling on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

It was confirmed that A submitted an appeal brief through legal counsel on the 6th, contesting the first-instance verdict regarding the charges of violating the Military Service Act.

Previously, Criminal Division 10 (Sole Judge) of the Seoul Western District Court held a sentencing hearing for A and Song Min-ho on the 1st, sentencing A to 10 months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence. Additionally, taking into account that Song Min-ho admitted to all charges and expressed remorse, the court stated that "his health condition appears to have affected his military service" and sentenced him to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence.

Earlier, Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Won Shin-hye) indicted both individuals without detention on charges of violating the Military Service Act on December 30, 2025.

The prosecutors pointed out that Song Min-ho failed to report for duty normally while working as a social service agent and left his workplace for 102 days, stating that he effectively did not perform his duties by leaving his post without authorization for an extended period.

Furthermore, the prosecutors determined that supervisor A was also involved in Song Min-ho's absences from work. It is reported that when Song Min-ho said he would not come to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, A permitted this and falsified documents as if he had reported for duty normally. The indictment stated that A notified Song Min-ho in advance of his own absence in May 2023, saying, "I have training tomorrow so I won't be coming to work; let's meet on May 31," leading Song Min-ho to arbitrarily skip work. Subsequently, A filled out the daily service status report as if Song Min-ho had reported for duty.

In response, Song Min-ho admitted to his charges, but A drew attention by denying the facts of the indictment, stating, "There is no fact that I conspired with Song Min-ho to cause him to leave his post."

Song Min-ho was indicted on charges of leaving his workplace without justifiable cause and neglecting attendance and duties while working as a social service agent at a facility in Mapo District, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024.

Song Min-ho, who received a Class 4 supplementary reserve classification in his military physical examination, fulfilled his military service obligation as a social service agent at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation starting in March 2023, and transferred his workplace to the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility in March 2024. However, suspicions of inadequate performance arose ahead of his release from active duty. Frequent sick leave and insincere attendance were cited as issues. It is known that Song Min-ho had been receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder 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 report for work during his time as a social service agent. In response, the Seoul Mapo Police Station conducted a summons investigation into Song Min-ho, who had been registered as a suspect on charges of violating the Military Service Act on January 23, 2025. At the time, Song Min-ho explained the factual circumstances regarding the allegations against him and testified to the effect that he "worked in accordance with 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 workplace.

In particular, according to the indictment submitted by the prosecutors, Song Min-ho was absent without authorization for a total of 102 days while working as a social service agent at the Mapo District Facility Management Corporation and the Resident Convenience Facility, leaving his post without justifiable cause. The service period for social service agents is one year and nine months, requiring approximately 430 days of attendance excluding weekends and public holidays. This means Song Min-ho left his post without authorization for a period equivalent to about one-quarter of the total time. Notably, he was absent for a total of 19 days in July 2024. He was required to work on 23 days that month 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." He added, "As a young person in the Republic of Korea, I failed to faithfully fulfill my duty to defend the nation until the very end. I suffer 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 makes me feel truly 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 so that if given the opportunity for re-service, I can complete it faithfully until the end." He added, "I would like to offer my apologies once again."

Meanwhile, a source from the Military Manpower Administration told StarNews on the 1st, "If the verdict regarding Song Min-ho's charges of violating the Military Service Act is finally confirmed, he will be required to re-serve for the number of days he was absent from duty, and procedures for this will be initiated." However, the source added, "Since this is a first-instance ruling, the verdict has not been finally confirmed."

The court stated its reasoning for sentencing Song Min-ho by noting, "Military service is a fundamental obligation of the state that must be fulfilled faithfully. Social service agents are no exception," while also stating, "He has admitted to all charges and expressed remorse, and his health condition appears to have affected his military service."

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

*This content was translated by AI.View Original