K-pop star admits to all charges, says will serve faithfully if given chance
South Korean prosecutors have requested an 18-month prison sentence for Song Min-ho, a prominent member of the K-pop group Winner. The artist faces charges of violating the Military Service Act during his mandatory social service commitment.
During his initial court appearance at the Seoul Western District Court, the 33-year-old multifaceted artist – known as a rapper, songwriter, and producer – fully admitted to the accusations. He expressed a desire to complete his mandatory social service diligently should he be granted a second chance.
Prosecutors allege that Song Min-ho accumulated over 100 days of unauthorized absences during his service at a Mapo-gu welfare facility in Seoul, spanning from March 2023 to December 2024. Furthermore, he is accused of providing fraudulent explanations for these absences. His supervisor, tasked with attendance management, also faces charges for allegedly conspiring in this dereliction of duty and is being jointly tried.
In South Korea, social service duty serves as an alternative military service pathway. It is typically assigned to conscripts who are deemed medically or otherwise unfit for rigorous active military duty.
Song’s legal representatives pleaded for leniency, citing that he was contending with bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and cervical spine issues during his service period, which significantly impeded his ability to fulfill his duties appropriately.
Dressed in a black suit, Song Min-ho conveyed deep regret for his failure to meet his national obligations and for falling short as a public role model.
“I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, yet I fully comprehend that these conditions can never serve as an excuse or justification for my actions. I am committed to ongoing treatment to restore my health, and if presented with the chance to resume my service, I intend to complete it with unwavering dedication until the very end,” he declared in his concluding statement.
Meanwhile, his co-defendant, the supervisor, entered a plea of not guilty to the accusations. The court indicated its intention to proceed with additional evidence review, setting the subsequent hearing for May 21.
A definitive sentencing date for Song Min-ho remains pending and will be announced at a later time.
milaya
