▲ Song Min-ho of K-pop group WINNER, who is accused of leaving his alternative military service post without authorization, arrives at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul's Mapo district to testify as a witness in the trial of his former supervisor on charges of violating the Military Service Act on July 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- Song Min-ho of K-pop group WINNER, charged of unauthorized leave of alternative military service post, admitted in court that he had skipped work with the acquiescence of his supervisor and later disguised the absences as annual leave.

 

Song, 33, made the remarks Tuesday while testifying as a witness at the Seoul Western District Court during the trial of his former supervisor, surnamed Lee, who is charged with violating the Military Service Act.

 

Asked by prosecutors whether Lee's instruction to schedule text messages in advance stating that he was taking annual leave had been intended to cover up unauthorized absences, Song replied, "There were times when I did that because I wasn't in good condition."

 

Song also testified that he was allowed to be absent or arrive late with Lee's permission without having to explain the specific reasons.

 

"It was my responsibility that I didn't report to work," Song said. "I feel deeply sorry toward the defendant."

 

▲ Song Min-ho of K-pop group WINNER, who is accused of leaving his alternative military service post without authorization, arrives at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul's Mapo district to testify as a witness in the trial of his former supervisor on charges of violating the Military Service Act on July 14, 2026. (Yonhap)

 

Lee, who was responsible for supervising Song during his alternative service, was indicted on charges of conspiring with the singer to facilitate his neglect of duty.

 

Song is accused of leaving his workplace without authorization, including being absent for more than 100 days, while serving as a social service worker at a facility in Seoul's Mapo district from March 2023 to December 2024.

 

At Song's own trial in April, prosecutors sought a prison sentence of one year and six months, arguing that he had effectively failed to perform his service due to his prolonged unauthorized absences and had falsely reported his attendance records to the supervising authorities.

 

Before entering the courthouse Tuesday, Song briefly responded, "I'm sorry," when asked by reporters whether he acknowledged receiving preferential treatment from his supervisor, what he planned to testify about, whether he still intended to reenlist for military service and whether he had any message for other people fulfilling their military obligations.

 

The court plans to conclude proceedings in Lee's case on Aug. 20. A sentencing date for Song is expected to be set afterward.

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