Prosecutors have sought an 18-month prison sentence for Song Min-ho, 33, a member of the K-pop group Winner, who is accused of leaving his social service duty post without authorization.
Prosecutors made the sentencing request at the first hearing of Song's Military Service Act violation case, held Tuesday at the Seoul Western District Court before Judge Sung Jun-kyu of the criminal single-judge division 10. Explaining the basis for the request, prosecutors said, "The defendant did not perform substantive work due to prolonged unauthorized absences and appears to have falsely reported his attendance to the supervising agency."
In his closing statement, Song said, "I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, but I am well aware that this illness cannot serve as an excuse or justification." He added, "As someone who receives the love of many people, I feel sorry for showing a shameful image when I should have set an example." He also said, "If I am given the chance to serve again, I want to complete my duty faithfully to the end."
Song is accused of habitual unauthorized absences while serving as a social service worker at the Mapo District Facility Management Corporation and community welfare facilities in Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024. The court plans to set the sentencing date for Song next month or later.
