K-pop star convicted of violating military service law

A South Korean court has sentenced K-pop singer Song Min-ho, also known as Mino, to a suspended one-year prison term for violating the country's military service law. The 33-year-old member of the boy band Winner was absent from a community centre in Seoul, where he worked as a social worker from 2023 to 2024. All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve at least 18 months in the military, though some serve as social service personnel due to health reasons.

Song recorded 102 unauthorized absences during his 21-month stint as a social service agent. While the court emphasized that military service must be performed "faithfully," it also acknowledged Song's admission of guilt and remorse. Authorities investigated Song after his discharge in 2024, following reports of frequent absences and excessive sick leave.

Song's supervisor at the social service center was also sentenced to a suspended jail term for aiding him in avoiding his duties, including falsifying records to make it appear as though Song had reported to work. The conscription of South Korea's entertainers has been a subject of national debate, with past cases involving artists such as Psy and Steve Yoo.

Song expressed regret for his actions and apologized to those who supported him, but did not comment on whether he would re-enlist to fulfill his mandatory duty.