K-pop artist Song Min-ho sentenced to prison for violating military service law

A court in South Korea sentenced Song Min-ho, a member of the K-pop group Winner, to one year in prison for violating the military service law. The court postponed the sentence of the 33-year-old artist for two years.

It was determined that Song, also known by his stage name Mino, did not repeatedly go to a community center in Seoul without permission, where he worked as a social worker between 2023 and 2024.

The court found that Song had been absent without permission a total of 102 times during his 21-month social service job.

In South Korea, men who are in good health are required to perform compulsory military service for at least 18 months. For health reasons, some people work in public institutions as social workers instead of military service.

In the court decision, it was emphasized that military service is "an obligation that must be fulfilled faithfully" and that social workers are not exempt from this responsibility.

HIS JUDGMENT WAS POSTPONED FOR TWO YEARS

The one-year prison sentence given to Song was suspended for two years. The artist will not go to prison unless he commits a new crime during this period.

The court also took into account Song's admission of the accusations and his showing of remorse in the sentence.

The investigation against Song was launched after he completed his social service duty in 2024.

There were reports in the South Korean press that the artist did not go to his place of duty frequently and took a lot of sick leave.

Song's manager at the center where he worked was also given a suspended prison sentence on the grounds that he helped hide the artist's absences.

The court found that the manager created records to make it appear that Song was on duty when he was not.

MILITARY SERVICE OF CELEBRITIES IS DISCUSSED IN SOUTH KOREA

Compulsory military service for famous names in South Korea has been a matter of public debate for a long time.

Psy, known worldwide for his song "Gangnam Style", was re-enlisted on the grounds that he continued his activities in the entertainment industry during his first military service.

Steve Yoo, one of the country's best-known pop stars in the 1990s and early 2000s, was accused of evading military service in 2002, and was banned from entering the country after he renounced his South Korean citizenship before military service and became a US citizen.

“I APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME”

Song Min-ho told reporters before the court decision that he regretted his actions.

According to Seoul Economic Daily, Song said, "I apologize to the people who showed me so much love."

The artist did not answer the question about whether he would perform compulsory military service again.