South Korean singer Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop group WINNER, has been sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of violating the country’s Military Service Act.
The Seoul Western District Court found that Song repeatedly failed to report for work during his alternative mandatory service. He was absent from his assigned duty station for 102 non-consecutive days while serving as a social service agent between March 2023 and December 2024.
Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison sentence. The court stressed that military service is a national duty and that social service agents are also required to fulfil their obligations. Song expressed regret and apologised to those who had supported him.