Song Min-ho to re-serve military duty after conviction for improper service

The Seoul Western District Court has sentenced WINNER's Song Min-ho to a one-year prison term with a two-year suspended sentence for violating the Military Service Act. Following his decision to waive his right to appeal, the Military Manpower Administration is initiating procedures for him to re-serve for 102 days of unauthorized absences.

As WINNER's Song Min-ho undergoes procedures for re-service following a conviction for improper service as a social service agent, an anecdote from actor Lee Jong-suk's past alternative service is drawing renewed attention. Unlike the case of Song Min-ho, who was found to have absented himself for 102 days during his service period, Lee Jong-suk previously shared a unique experience of being watched by a civil petitioner throughout his entire commuting hours, emphasizing that he "really worked hard" during his service.

The Seoul Western District Court recently sentenced Song Min-ho to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence for violating the Military Service Act. The ruling has been finalized as Song Min-ho waived his right to appeal, and the Military Manpower Administration has initiated procedures to notify him of his re-service for the 102 days determined to be unauthorized absences. As the controversy surrounding the fulfillment of military duties has led to a legal judgment, public interest is also focusing on the service conditions of celebrities who have completed alternative service as social service agents.

In this context, Lee Jong-suk is being mentioned again. In a magazine interview conducted immediately after being released from his duties as a social service agent, he revealed a special experience from his time in service. Having been designated for alternative service after suffering a torn cruciate ligament in a traffic accident during middle school, Lee performed his duties at a welfare center. At the time, a civil petitioner who recognized him would visit the workplace every day to watch his commuting process.

When asked about the most memorable petitioner, Lee recalled, "In the early stages of my service, a civil petitioner who recognized me would sit in the civil service office all day, from before I arrived at work until I left." He drew a firm line against reactions from those around him suggesting it might have been a fan visiting to see a famous actor closely. He explained with a laugh, "There were even comments like, 'Didn't you come to see him because his face is a blessing?' but that was surveillance."

The purpose of that petitioner was not merely to watch a celebrity. Lee emphasized, "That person was like a 'night watchman of society' who was monitoring whether the celebrity was actually performing their duties properly," adding, "I really worked hard during my service." While the gaze of someone watching to see if he was receiving special treatment due to his fame might have been burdensome, he introduced it as an experience that demonstrated his attitude toward his service.

Lee noted that while working at the welfare center, he also became interested in the field of social welfare. It has drawn attention that he did not view his service merely as a time to fulfill a given obligation, as he seriously considered obtaining related certifications. His attitude of trying to be faithful to his assigned duties despite the professional characteristics of being a celebrity is being recalled through that past interview following the recent Song Min-ho re-service controversy.

While the form of service differs from active duty, social service agents are part of the system for fulfilling military obligations. Even if the service institution and duties differ, the principle of adhering to the fixed service period, commuting, and work regulations remains the same. Particularly in the case of celebrities who attract public attention, if suspicions of preferential treatment or improper service are raised, the impact is inevitably larger than general controversies. As the Song Min-ho case has led to a court conviction and re-service procedures, public opinion is once again highlighting that the strict fulfillment of military duties is required even for celebrities.

Lee Jong-suk, who is continuing his activities as an actor, is currently meeting viewers in the Disney+ original series 'The Remarried Empress,' playing the role of the charming Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. While showcasing romantic acting in the work, his candid and impressive anecdote from his past alternative service is drawing interest once again.

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