Song Min-ho, a member of the idol group "Winner" who is on trial for unauthorized absence from his workplace while serving as a social service agent, has admitted that he arbitrarily skipped work and falsified leave requests with the tacit approval of his supervisor during his service.
The Seoul Western District Court held the third trial for a man surnamed Lee, the supervisor responsible for managing Song's service, who has been indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act.
Song appeared in court as a witness requested by the defense for Lee, who is a co-defendant and his supervisor.
When asked by the prosecutor whether Lee's request to schedule messages claiming he was on annual leave was a way to cover up his unauthorized absences, Song replied, "There were times when I did that when my condition was not good."
He also stated that he did not need to provide specific reasons when obtaining permission from Lee for absences or tardiness.
Song added, "It is my responsibility that I did not show up for work," and "I feel very sorry for Lee."
Lee was previously indicted alongside Song on charges of conspiring to assist in Song's dereliction of duty.
Song is accused of leaving his post without authorization, including being absent for over 100 days while serving as a social service agent at a facility in Mapo-gu from March 2023 to December of the following year.
During Song's trial in April, the prosecution demanded a sentence of one year and six months in prison, stating, "He did not perform his actual duties due to long-term unauthorized absences and appears to have falsely reported his attendance to the supervisory agency."
The court plans to conclude the proceedings for Lee, the supervisor responsible for managing Song's service, on August 20.
It is expected that a sentencing date for Song will be set thereafter.
Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Seo Byeong-uk | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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