Ravi and Nafla Admit Charges of 'Violation of Military Service Act'... Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentence

Rappers Ravi (real name Kim Won-sik, 30) and Nafla (real name Choi Seok-bae, 31), who were indicted for violating the Military Service Act, admitted all charges in their first trial. The prosecution requested the court to sentence them to two years and two years and six months in prison, respectively.

On the morning of the 11th, Judge Kim Jeong-gi of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 7 held the first hearing for nine defendants, including rappers Ravi and Nafla, who are accused of violating the Military Service Act. Ravi and Nafla admitted all the charges. Kim, a co-CEO of an entertainment agency who was also indicted, admitted the charges as well.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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According to the prosecution, Ravi is accused of conspiring with Gu (47), a military service broker who has been detained since December last year and is currently on trial, to falsely claim epilepsy in order to be exempted or receive a reduction from military service. Kim signed a contract to pay Gu a total of 50 million won as compensation for receiving a scenario to evade military service. They visited hospitals multiple times, deceived medical staff, obtained prescriptions for epilepsy-related medication, and submitted medical certificates for military service to the Military Manpower Administration.

Nafla was arrested and indicted last month on charges of planning to evade military service through applications for unfitness for service or changes in military disposition, together with Kim and broker Gu. According to the prosecution, Nafla pretended to have worsening depression for about two years, deceived doctors to get prescriptions but did not take the medication, and obtained false medical certificates for military service to attempt discharge and multiple re-examinations.

As Ravi and others admitted the charges, the sentencing hearing was also held on the same day. The prosecution requested two years in prison for Ravi, two years for Kim, and two years and six months for Nafla.

The prosecution considered the defendants' criminal nature to be serious, noting that they systematically conspired with the military service broker to evade military service by falsely claiming epilepsy and applying for discharge, and that Nafla and Ravi committed the crimes after long periods of postponing their military service following their initial military evaluations. Additionally, although they confessed in court, they consistently denied and made excuses before objective evidence was presented during the investigation, which was taken into account in the sentencing request.

Ravi's defense stated, "The defendant volunteered to apply for social service before being exempted from military service and is currently serving as a social service agent for six months," adding, "Contracts signed before COVID-19 were postponed due to the pandemic, and there was a situation where social service had to be delayed for the company's sake," in their final argument.

Rapper Nafla

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Nafla's defense said, "One of the causes of the incident was that Nafla, who spent most of his growing years in the United States, had no proper guidance while adapting alone to the Korean environment to pursue his dream as a singer," and requested the court to consider precedents and impose an appropriate sentence.

In his final statement, Ravi said, "At the time, as the only singer generating revenue for the company, I made a foolish choice because I desperately wanted to postpone my service." Wearing a prison uniform, Nafla tearfully said, "Shortly after winning Show Me the Money, I received a notice to enlist in the military. I was so afraid that my popularity would disappear if my activities were interrupted."

The sentencing date for them will be scheduled later.

On the same day, three Seocho District Office officials, accused of fabricating attendance records indicating Nafla's unsuitability for service (false official document creation, etc.), also admitted their charges. The prosecution requested fines of 10 million won each, considering that although the criminal facts are serious, the offenses were committed under the orders of their superiors.

The defense for A, one of the three superiors who admitted the charges, said, "We acknowledge the charges of obstruction of official duties by deception and false official document creation, but whether the indictment for violation of the Military Service Act is accepted will be clarified at the next trial." The defense for B, a Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration official, stated, "Due to the volume of records, we have not yet coordinated opinions with the defendant," and added, "We plead not guilty to the charges of violating the Military Service Act." A and B face charges including violation of the Military Service Act, obstruction of official duties by deception, and false official document creation and use.

The next trial for A and B is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 4th of next month.

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