{
  "id": 11089964,
  "title": "WINNER's Song Min-ho gets suspended prison term for negligence in mandatory service",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/winners-song-min-ho-gets-suspended-prison-term-for-negligence-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:47:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261001005100315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Seoul court on Thursday handed K-pop idol Song Min-ho a suspended one-year prison term for his repeated absences during alternative mandatory military service. The Seoul Western District Court ruled Song guilty of violating the Military Service Act, finding him responsible for skipping his duty station 102 times between March 2023 and December 2024 while serving as a social service agent. The court emphasized that military service is a critical duty to safeguard the nation and its people, and must be taken seriously by all able-bodied South Korean men. Prosecutors had requested an 18-month prison sentence, but the court opted for a two-year suspension. Song expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to those who cared for him, though he did not comment on whether he planned to serve the remaining portion of his mandatory duty.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court sentenced Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop...",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul court suspends one-year prison term for Song Min-ho",
    "K-pop idol skipped military duty 102 times (Mar 2023 - Dec 2024)",
    "Prosecutors sought 18-month sentence, court opted for two-year suspension"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The suspended prison term suggests that leniency can be shown to first-time offenders who express remorse, but also sets a precedent that negligence in mandatory service will be taken seriously by the courts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "WINNER's Song Min-ho gets suspended prison term for negligence in mandatory service",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/winners-song-min-ho-gets-suspended-prison-term-for-negligence-in-11096908",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:32:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}