K-Pop Star Song Min-ho Sentenced for Military Service Violations
Winner band member receives suspended prison sentence for repeated absences from social service duties.
A South Korean court has handed a suspended one-year prison sentence to K-pop singer Song Min-ho, a member of the boy band Winner, for violating the country's military service law. The court found that the 33-year-old accumulated 102 unauthorized absences during his 21-month tenure as a social service worker.
All able-bodied South Korean men are required to complete at least 18 months of military service. However, individuals with health issues may be assigned alternative duties, such as working as social service personnel. Song's sentence, handed down on Thursday, is suspended for two years, meaning he can avoid incarceration if he commits no further offenses during this probationary period.
The court emphasized that military service is a duty to be performed "faithfully," and social service agents are "no exception." However, it also acknowledged that Song had admitted to the charges and expressed remorse.
An investigation into Song was initiated after local media reported his frequent absences and excessive sick leave during his service, which concluded in 2024. Song's supervisor at the community center also received a suspended jail sentence for aiding in the evasion of duties, including falsifying records.
The conscription of entertainers in South Korea has been a recurring subject of national debate. Historically, some celebrities have faced scrutiny and legal repercussions for neglecting their military service obligations. Notably, singer Psy had to enlist twice after a ruling that he had neglected his duties by continuing showbiz activities during his initial service. Another prominent case involved pop star Steve Yoo, who faced a national scandal and was subsequently banned from South Korea after renouncing his citizenship to evade military service.
While taking a hiatus for military service can pose a challenge to careers in South Korea's rapidly evolving entertainment industry, evasion of this duty carries significant public scrutiny and legal consequences. Ahead of the ruling, Song apologized to his fans for his actions, as reported by Seoul Economic Daily.