WINNER member Song Min Ho has denied allegations that he worked with his former social services supervisor to avoid his duties, saying his absences were not the result of a planned arrangement. He admitted to having a personal relationship with the supervisor, but insisted there was no conspiracy.
Song Min Ho appeared as a witness on July 14 at the third hearing of former service supervisor Lee, who is facing charges related to allegedly helping Song violate the Military Service Law.
The hearing was held at the Seoul Western District Court and focused on whether Lee knowingly enabled or arranged Song’s reported absences.
Song served as a social worker from March 2023 to December 2024 at the Mapo District Facilities Management Corporation and a public welfare facility in Seoul. According to AllKpop, prosecutors say he was absent without approval for 102 of approximately 430 scheduled work days.
During his testimony, Song rejected claims that he and Lee had discussed beforehand about avoiding service duties. She explained that Lee was aware of his health problems and often showed concern about his condition.
“As the supervisor in charge during my service, he was very familiar with my health condition and often expressed concern about it,” Song said.
Song also acknowledged that Lee told him he could rest at home when his health worsened. However, he said the comments were made out of concern and were not instructions to skip work.
“It was simply a thoughtful remark reflecting concern for my health. There was never any prior conspiracy or instruction to evade service,” Song said.
Song Min Ho takes responsibility
The singer also took responsibility for his actions, saying that some days he couldn’t go to work due to health problems.
“There were days when I honestly couldn’t report for duty due to health issues, and I take full responsibility for that,” he said, per ChosunBiz.
Prosecutors questioned Song about attendance records that showed some paperwork was completed later instead of on the actual dates of service.
Song said he normally recorded his arrival and departure times, but admitted that some service records were filled out in batches because his condition made it difficult to complete them immediately. He denied intentionally creating false documents and said he was unfamiliar with how internal administrative procedures were handled.
The hearing also examined Song’s personal connection to Lee. Song admitted that he helped provide career advice to Lee’s son, that he lent Lee money and that they spent time together fishing.
Prosecutors questioned whether the relationship affected how his service duties were handled. Song denied receiving special treatment, saying the interactions were based on friendship rather than an exchange of benefits.
“These were simply actions born out of personal friendship and had nothing to do with absences from duty or special treatment,” he said.
