Prosecutors Seek One-Year Prison Sentence for Supervisor Who Condoned Song Minho's Unauthorized Absences

Prosecutors have requested a one-year prison sentence for the managerial supervisor accused of condoning the prolonged unauthorized absences of Song Minho (33) from the idol group WINNER, who was serving as a social service agent.

On August 20, during the final hearing of Mr. Lee at the Seoul Western District Court before Judge Seong Jungyu (Criminal Division 10), prosecutors asked the court to sentence him to one year in prison. Prosecutors stated, "Mr. Lee played an essential role in enabling Song to be absent without permission for an extended period, and took active measures to prevent detection by the supervisory authorities," citing these reasons for their sentencing request.

Song Minho of the idol group WINNER, accused of unauthorized absence from his social service duty location, is appearing as a witness at a trial on June 14 at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The trial concerns the charge of violation of military service law against a certain Lee, the responsible person for service management. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In his final statement, Mr. Lee's side requested a suspension of the sentence. Mr. Lee pleaded, "I worked with a sense of duty and burden while being responsible for Song. If given the opportunity, I will return to society and work with even greater responsibility, adhering to regulations and principles."

Mr. Lee was the managerial supervisor affiliated with the Mapo District Facilities Management Corporation in Seoul, where Song served as a social service agent. Song is accused of being absent without permission for over 100 days from his duties at the Mapo District Facilities Management Corporation between March and December 2023.

Song appeared as a witness at Mr. Lee's trial on July 14 and testified that he took unauthorized leave at his own discretion and that his absences were processed as if he had used leave in advance, under Mr. Lee's acquiescence.

Previously, at Song's own trial held in April, prosecutors argued that Song had effectively not performed his duties due to his prolonged unexcused absences and appeared to have falsified attendance records to the supervisory body, requesting a sentence of one year and six months in prison. The sentencing for both Song and Lee is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.