Song Mino Receives Suspended Prison Sentence… "Will Have to Re-serve 102 Days If Finalized"

[Anchor]

Singer Song Mino, who has been indicted on charges of failing to properly report to work for over 100 days while serving as a social service agent, has been sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation in the first trial. If this ruling is finalized, Song will have to re-serve 102 days in the military.

Reporting by Lee Se-hyeon.

[Reporter]

Song Mino of the group WINNER entered the court with a stern expression and bowed his head.

[Song Mino: There is no room for excuse. I want to apologize once again.]

Song was put on trial on charges of being absent without leave for 102 days while working as a social service agent for 18 months starting May 30, 2023, and falsely explaining his absences to the institution.

Previously, prosecutors demanded a year and six months in prison, viewing it as a desertion of the workplace without justifiable cause. However, the first instance court sentenced him to one year in prison with two years of probation today (October 1).

The court stated, "Military service is a duty for the nation's existence and security, and must be carried out faithfully," emphasizing that "there is high social interest regarding the fulfillment of military service by those in the broadcasting industry."

However, the court cited as sentencing factors that Song admitted to the crime, was in poor health at the time, and expressed his intention to complete the remaining service.

The court also stated, "Song's unauthorized absence went undiscovered because an accomplice, surnamed Lee, signed off on normal attendance," sentencing the co-indicted attendance manager, Mr. Lee, to 10 months in prison with two years of probation.

Throughout the trial, Song testified, "If given the opportunity to re-serve, I will fulfill it faithfully." However, he did not answer reporters' questions about his re-service plans immediately after the first-instance sentencing.

[Song Mino: I will humbly accept the court's decision. (Could you also tell us about your re-service plans?) ......]

The Military Manpower Administration explained to SBS, "Once the final ruling is finalized, Song will have to re-serve for the number of days he was absent from service, in accordance with the administrative procedures of the Military Manpower Administration."

(Video by: Cho Chang-hyun | Video Editing by: Kim Yun-sung | Graphics by: Lee Jong-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.