Key facts
- K-pop singer Song Min-ho was convicted of violating South Korea's military service law.
- Song received a suspended one-year prison sentence, to be served over a two-year probationary period.
- He had 102 unauthorized absences during his 21-month stint as a social service agent.
- Song worked as a social worker at a community center in Seoul from 2023 to 2024.
- His supervisor was also given a suspended jail sentence for helping him dodge duties.
A South Korean court on Thursday handed K-pop singer Song Min-ho, also known by his stage name Mino and a member of the boy band Winner, a suspended one-year prison sentence for violating the country's military service law. The court found that Song, 33, had accumulated 102 unauthorized absences during his 21-month tenure as a social service agent at a community center in Seoul between 2023 and 2024. The sentence is suspended for two years, meaning he will avoid incarceration if he commits no further crimes during that period.
The court emphasized that military service is a duty to be performed faithfully, with no exceptions for social service agents. However, it also acknowledged Song's admission of guilt and remorse. An investigation into Song began after his discharge in 2024, following media reports of frequent absences and excessive sick leave. Song's supervisor at the social service center also received a suspended jail sentence for falsifying records to conceal Song's dereliction of duty.
The mandatory military service for able-bodied South Korean men, typically lasting at least 18 months, is a sensitive issue. Historically, entertainers have faced scrutiny and legal repercussions for evading service, with notable cases like Psy and Steve Yoo highlighting the public debate surrounding conscription and celebrity status.