"Ordinary Man Bolts for 163 Days, Idol for 102 Days"...Is Social Service Just a Joke?

Court Sentences Defendant to 10 Months in Prison, Suspended for 2 Years

A man in his 30s who deserted his post for an extended period while serving as a social service worker has received a suspended prison sentence.

Yonhap News Agency reported on the 21st that Judge Park Donguk of the Chuncheon District Court’s Criminal Division 3 sentenced Mr. A (32), who had been indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act, to 10 months in prison, suspended for 2 years.

Mr. A was indicted on charges of leaving his service without just cause for a total of 163 days, from May 13, 2024 to January 16, 2025, while working as a social service worker at an institution in Chuncheon.

The Military Service Act stipulates that if a social service worker deserts his post without just cause for a cumulative period of 8 days or more, he shall be punished by imprisonment for up to 3 years. For short-term desertion of 7 days or less, the period of service is extended by five times the number of days absent, but if the absence exceeds 8 days, the person becomes subject to criminal punishment without the option of a fine.

Social service worker. Yonhap News Agency (This photo is not directly related to the article.)

The court explained the reasons for sentencing, stating, "The defendant has admitted to the crime and shows remorse, but the nature of the offense is poor because he deserted his service without just cause, and the period of absence was also very long."

Meanwhile, Song Mino, a member of the group Winner, is facing charges of deserting his service without just cause after being absent without leave for 102 days while working as a social service worker at the Mapo-gu Facilities Management Corporation and resident convenience facilities in Seoul. The first trial date is scheduled for this coming April.