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Prosecutors seek 18-month prison term for Winner's Song Min-ho over service negligence allegations

Published: 21 Apr. 2026, 14:51 Updated: 21 Apr. 2026, 15:10

Song Min-ho, member of K-pop boy band Winner, leaves the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District, western Seoul, on April 21. [NEWS1]

Prosecutors on Tuesday demanded an 18-month prison term for Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band Winner, over allegations of negligence related to his alternative mandatory service.

Song is accused of failing to properly fulfill his duties as a social service agent at a facility in western Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024, including missing more than 100 days of work, albeit not consecutively.

Prosecutors requested the sentence during the case's first hearing at the Seoul Western District Court, arguing that Song appeared to have been absent for extended periods and effectively failed to carry out his service.

Song, who appeared at trial, admitted to all charges and expressed hope of carrying out his service again if given the chance.

"As a person who is loved by many, I feel sorry for showing an embarrassing side of myself instead of setting an example," he said, adding that his struggles with bipolar disorder and panic disorder cannot be excuses.

"If given an opportunity to serve again, I wish to faithfully fulfill it until the end."

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

Yonhap