Song Min-ho, formerly of the popular K-pop group WINNER, is facing a prison sentence after admitting his wrongdoing in a trial concerning his violation of the Military Service Act. The first trial session was held on April 21, 2026, at the Criminal Division 10 of Seoul Western District Court. In the trial, Song Min-ho and A, the person responsible for his duty management, were charged with breaching the Military Service Act. The charges were brought after a non-detained indictment was filed by the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecution Service on December 30, 2025.

During the session, the prosecution sought a prison sentence of one year and six months for Song Min-ho, who fully acknowledged the charges against him. Wearing a black suit, Song Min-ho took the stand and openly admitted his guilt, stating that he accepted all the accusations made in the prosecution’s indictment. However, A, who was accused of neglecting supervision, denied the charges, claiming, “I never conspired with Song Min-ho.”

The case revolved around Song Min-ho’s time as a public service worker, during which he failed to report for work properly, neglecting his duties and leaving his workplace without valid reasons. According to the prosecution, Song Min-ho had been absent for 102 days while serving as a public service worker at various facilities in Mapo-gu, Seoul, between March 2023 and December 2024.

In his final statement to the court, Song Min-ho expressed deep regret for his actions, saying, “I would like to express my apologies to the presiding judge and everyone present here. As a young person of the Republic of Korea, I failed to faithfully fulfill my sacred duty of national defense until the end. I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, and I am well aware that this illness should never be used as an excuse or alibi.” He further expressed how ashamed he felt, explaining how his failure to set a good example for his fans left him with nothing but regret.

He continued, “I am currently undergoing treatment diligently. I hope to recover my health as soon as possible and, if given the opportunity to serve again, I want to fulfill it faithfully until the end. I would like to express my apologies once again.”

Song Min-ho’s lawyer addressed the court by emphasizing that his client had admitted to all charges and was deeply reflecting on his failure to fulfill his military service obligation. The lawyer urged the court to take into account the special circumstances surrounding Song Min-ho’s case when deciding the sentence. It was argued that, at the time of the offense, Song Min-ho was suffering from severe mental and physical ailments, including bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and a cervical spine injury. These conditions, the lawyer claimed, hindered his ability to carry out his duties as a public service worker.

The lawyer further stated that despite his personal challenges, Song Min-ho cooperated fully during the investigation, voluntarily submitting evidence that could have worked against him. He emphasized that Song Min-ho had never attempted to escape responsibility for his actions and had been fully cooperative throughout the legal process. The lawyer pleaded for leniency, asking the court to consider giving Song Min-ho another chance to rehabilitate and serve the country properly.

The charges against Song Min-ho stemmed from his tenure as a public service worker at the Mapo Facility Management Corporation from March 2023 to December 2024. The prosecution stated that Song Min-ho had left his workplace for extended periods without valid reasons. In particular, during July 2024, he was absent for 19 days out of the 23 he was required to work. During that time, he only attended work for four days, which raised concerns about his performance.

Song Min-ho’s medical history, which includes treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder, has played a significant role in the case. The prosecution noted that despite his health issues, he failed to meet the standards of his duty. They also pointed out that A, his supervisor, had failed to take proper action. It was reported that A allowed Song Min-ho to skip work by claiming excuses such as oversleeping or fatigue and even falsified documents to make it appear that he had reported for work. The prosecution also revealed that A had informed Song Min-ho in advance that he would not be reporting for work, and subsequently, Song Min-ho did not report to work on multiple occasions.

Additionally, Song Min-ho’s appearance at a VIP screening of the movie Method Acting in Seoul attracted significant attention. It was reported that he attended the event wearing a mask and a hat to cover his face. This sparked rumors online, especially after a photo emerged showing him with actor Lee Dong-hwi. The two had been friends for a long time, and Lee Dong-hwi had previously confirmed their friendship on social media. However, when asked about the matter, Lee Dong-hwi clarified that he did not invite Song Min-ho to the event and had only learned of his attendance on-site.

Despite the ongoing legal troubles, Song Min-ho’s case has generated considerable public interest. As he continues to face legal consequences for his actions, he has expressed a desire to recover and to eventually make amends for his past mistakes. Whether he will be given leniency in his sentencing will depend on the court’s assessment of the special circumstances surrounding his case and his level of cooperation with the investigation.