Song Min-ho, formerly of the K-pop group WINNER, is facing serious legal consequences after admitting to violations of the Military Service Act. The criminal division of Seoul Western District Court held its first trial session on April 21, 2026, for both Song Min-ho and his manager, identified as A, who are charged with breaching the Military Service Act. The prosecution, which filed the indictment against the two in late December 2025, has recommended a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months for Song Min-ho, who has fully confessed to the charges against him.

During the trial, Song Min-ho, dressed in a black suit, personally acknowledged his guilt in front of the judge and the court. In stark contrast, A, his manager, denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he had never colluded with Song Min-ho. According to the prosecution, Song Min-ho neglected his duty as a public service worker and was absent from his workplace for a total of 102 days, without legitimate justification.

In his final statement at the trial, Song Min-ho expressed deep regret and apologized to the judge and everyone present. He explained that, as a young man of South Korea, he had failed to fulfill his responsibility to the nation’s defense. Despite suffering from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, he emphasized that these conditions should not be used as excuses for his actions. He spoke with sorrow about how his inability to be a good role model for his fans had left him with nothing but remorse. “I am undergoing treatment diligently,” he said, expressing a hope for recovery and a sincere desire to fulfill his duties in the future if given another chance.

His lawyer highlighted that Song Min-ho had admitted to all the charges and fully acknowledged his failure to perform his sacred duty of military service. The lawyer requested that the court consider mitigating circumstances during sentencing, especially the severe mental and physical health struggles that Song Min-ho was grappling with at the time of the offenses. These included extreme bipolar disorder, panic attacks, and a cervical spine injury. His lawyer also pointed out that despite his struggles, Song Min-ho had cooperated fully with the investigation, submitting evidence that was damaging to his case and never attempting to evade responsibility. The lawyer pleaded for leniency, urging the court to allow Song Min-ho the chance to redeem himself and become a responsible and productive member of society.

The prosecution’s case paints a picture of persistent neglect of duty by Song Min-ho during his time as a public service worker. Between March 2023 and December 2024, Song Min-ho was assigned to work at various facilities in Seoul as part of his military service obligation. However, he repeatedly failed to report for work and often left his workplace without valid reasons. The service period for public service workers is about 1 year and 9 months, and Song Min-ho was required to work approximately 430 days, excluding weekends and holidays. Yet, he was absent for nearly a quarter of that time, with one particularly egregious period in July 2024, where he missed 19 out of the 23 days he was supposed to work. His work attendance, or lack thereof, raised significant concerns, especially as he was supposed to report for duty regularly.

At the time of these incidents, Song Min-ho was receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder, which the defense claims had a substantial impact on his ability to fulfill his duties. However, his repeated absences and neglect of duty were not just personal failings but involved the cooperation of his manager, A. The prosecution alleges that A played a key role in facilitating Song Min-ho’s absences by allowing him to take time off due to oversleeping or fatigue, even falsifying daily duty status reports to make it appear as though he had been working. In some instances, A even informed Song Min-ho of his own planned absences in advance, setting the stage for the singer’s own absences. These actions were reportedly part of a broader conspiracy to cover up the misconduct and to avoid the consequences of their actions.

In a further complication, reports emerged that Song Min-ho was seen attending the VIP screening of the movie “Method Acting” in Seoul, where he was photographed with his close friend, actor Lee Dong-hwi. While some speculated that Lee Dong-hwi might have invited Song Min-ho to the event, Lee Dong-hwi clarified that he did not invite the singer and had no contact with him regarding the event. Nonetheless, the sighting added fuel to the controversy surrounding Song Min-ho, who is already in the midst of a legal battle that has cast a shadow over his career.

The scandal has placed Song Min-ho in a precarious position, with the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence looming over him. While the singer has expressed remorse and pleaded for a chance to redeem himself, the gravity of his actions, especially the alleged conspiracy with his manager, has left his future uncertain. As the trial continues, many are left wondering how the court will weigh his mental health struggles and his attempts to cooperate with the authorities against the severity of his military service evasion.