[theqoo] DISPATCH, SONG MINO’S NEGLIGENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, WINS “REPORTER OF THE MONTH AWARD”

Dispatch journalists Kim Jiho and Kim Sojung have won the 412th Reporter of the Month award (in the Reporting and Coverage category).

The Korea Journalist Association held the 412th Reporter of the Month awards ceremony on the morning of January 23 at the Press Center, Seoul. A total of nine works were selected as winners on this day.

The Reporter of the Month in the first category (Coverage and Reporting) was awarded to JTBC for their report on “S***** Harassment by a Monk—A Civilian Moves,” while Dispatch won in the second category, and KBS Chuncheon took home the award in the Planning and Broadcasting category for their report on “The Secret of the Red Pine Tree.”

Dispatch won the award for their investigative report on “K-pop Idol’s Military Service Failure,” which exposed the inadequate service of WINNER member Song Mino as a social service agent. Journalists Kim Jiho and Kim Sojung also uncovered the vulnerabilities in the commuting record system.

They called for the urgent introduction of an electronic record system, including the introduction of commuting cards. Following Dispatch’s in-depth report, the Military Manpower Administration immediately took action and launched an investigation into the poor service of social service agents.

The police are currently investigating Song Mino for violating the Military Service Act. On the 6th, the “Song Mino Prevention Law” was also proposed. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has also ordered an “urgent comprehensive survey of the service status of social service agents.”

Kim Sojung stated, “Other (social service) agents were serving properly. Song Mino had not shown up for work for over a month. I thought that if someone was abusing the system, it should be changed.”