WINNER's Song Min-ho gets suspended prison term for negligence in mandatory service

A Seoul court sentenced WINNER member Song Min-ho to a one-year prison term, suspended for two years, on Thursday for repeatedly failing to report to his alternative mandatory service in western Seoul. The court found him guilty of violating the Military Service Act and said he missed duty for 102 days, inconsecutively. Prosecutors had sought an 18-month term, and Song expressed regret before the ruling.

Song Min-ho served as a social service agent at a facility in western Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024.

The court said he failed to appear at his duty station for 102 days, inconsecutively.

Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison term for him.

The court said social service agents must faithfully fulfill their duty, calling military service a duty to ensure the security and existence of the state.

Published Oct 1, 2026 12:16 pm KST

Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band WINNER, speaks to reporters as he appears for his trial on charges of violating the Military Service Act, the Seoul Western District Court, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

A Seoul court sentenced Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band WINNER, to a suspended prison term Thursday on charges of repeatedly failing to show up to work during his alternative mandatory service.

The Seoul Western District Court handed down a one-year prison term, suspended for two years, for Song after finding him guilty of violating the Military Service Act.

Song faced charges of failing to appear at his duty station for 102 days, inconsecutively, when he served as a social service agent at a facility in western Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024.

"Military service is a duty to ensure the security and existence of the state, and must be faithfully fulfilled. Social service agents are no exception," the court said.

Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison term for Song.

Before the ruling, Song said he felt regret for his actions and was apologetic to those who have cared for him.

He did not respond to questions about whether he planned to serve his mandatory duty again.

All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military. Others are either exempt or have to carry out alternative forms of service.

首尔一家法院周四判处WINNER成员宋旻浩一年有期徒刑，缓刑两年，罪名是多次未按规定前往首尔西部接受替代兵役。法院认定他违反了《兵役法》，并指出他累计旷工102天，且旷工时间并非连续。检方此前要求判处18个月监禁，宋旻浩在宣判前已表示悔过。

宋敏浩于 2023 年 3 月至 2024 年 12 月在首尔西部的一家机构担任社会服务人员。

法院称他连续102天未到岗上班。

检察官曾寻求判处他 18 个月监禁。

法院表示，社会服务人员必须忠实履行职责，并称兵役是确保国家安全和存在的义务。

发布于2026年10月1日下午12:16（韩国标准时间）

韩国男子组合WINNER成员宋旻浩周四在首尔西部地方法院出庭受审，他被控违反兵役法。庭审期间，宋旻浩接受记者采访。（韩联社）

首尔一家法院周四判处韩国流行男团 WINNER 成员宋敏浩缓刑，罪名是多次未按时参加强制替代服务。

首尔西部地方法院判处宋某违反兵役法一年有期徒刑，缓刑两年。

宋某被指控在 2023 年 3 月至 2024 年 12 月期间，在首尔西部一家机构担任社会服务人员时，曾连续 102 天未到岗。

法院表示：“兵役是确保国家安全和生存的义务，必须忠实履行。社会服务人员也不例外。”

检方曾寻求判处宋某18个月监禁。

在判决前，宋表示他对自己的行为感到后悔，并向关心他的人道歉。

他没有回答是否计划再次履行义务兵役的问题。

所有身体健全的韩国男性都必须服至少18个月的兵役。其他人要么可以免服兵役，要么必须以其他形式服役。