Agency "We Will Cooperate Fully with the Prosecutor's Investigation"
Investigation of Over 100 Famous Athletes, Entertainers, and Others
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Song Deok-ho (30), who appeared in the SBS drama 'Taxi Driver' and the Netflix series 'D.P.', has admitted to evading military service and apologized.
According to the legal community on the 31st, the joint investigation team of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office and the Military Manpower Administration is investigating Song Deok-ho for requesting military service evasion from military service broker Mr. A and paying him. The joint investigation team is currently investigating military service brokers who exploited epilepsy to evade military service. The prosecution believes that Song Deok-ho faked epilepsy symptoms and received a diagnosis to evade military service under Mr. A's instructions.
Song Deok-ho's agency, Busters Entertainment, released a statement on the 31st saying, "Last summer, while looking up information online to postpone his military enlistment, he consulted through a blog operated by Mr. A," and added, "Due to a wrong decision, he received a Grade 4 social service worker classification through improper means instead of the intended military service postponement."
The agency stated, "Song Deok-ho has been questioned by the police and will sincerely cooperate with the remaining prosecution investigation." They also apologized, saying, "He deeply reflects on this matter and apologizes for causing trouble."
Song Deok-ho debuted in the 2018 film 'Burning' and gained recognition through tvN's drama 'Hospital Playlist', SBS's 'Taxi Driver', and Netflix's 'D.P.'. He has been actively working in supporting roles in productions such as 'Juvenile Justice', 'Cheer Up', 'One Hundred Butlers', and 'Missing 2'. After the recent allegations surfaced, Song Deok-ho withdrew from the drama he was filming. The drama had to reshoot scenes with a replacement actor due to his sudden departure.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]
The epilepsy-related military service evasion scandal came to light at the end of last year during the investigation of professional volleyball player Jo Jae-sung's military service evasion charges, bringing the existence of brokers to public attention.
On December 21 of last year, the prosecution indicted Mr. A and seven clients who evaded military service through him and is conducting additional investigations. Recently, another military service broker Mr. B, along with 15 individuals including a former professional gamer turned coach who evaded military service through him, and six accomplices including family members who assisted in the evasion, were also indicted.
Singer Ravi (real name Kim Won-sik) was also booked on the 12th for violating the Military Service Act. Ravi enlisted as a social service worker in October last year. The joint investigation team believes that Ravi intentionally lowered his physical grade to receive military service reduction.
According to Article 86 of the Military Service Act, anyone who evades or conceals their whereabouts to avoid or reduce military service, or damages their body or uses deception, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than five years. More than 100 famous sports players, entertainers, and others are being mentioned as targets of this military service broker investigation, and a significant impact is expected.
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