Singer Rain disciplined for dating during service

A military disciplinary committee said Tuesday it has ordered K-pop star Rain to not leave his unit for one week, the lightest form of military discipline that can be administered, over dating a top TV actress while on official military duty.

The move comes after the 30-year-old singer, who was spotted dating actress Kim Tae-hee while he was on leave last month, faced strong backlash from the public over the special treatment of celebrities while they fulfill their mandatory military service.

All able-bodied South Korean men are conscripted to serve roughly two years in the armed forces.

The disciplinary committee said it has made the decision as Corporal Jung "breached instructions," which prevent soldiers from making private contact with civilians while on duty.

The top singer, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is now serving as what the military has dubbed an "entertainment soldier" in a military unit that provides programming for TV and radio to promote the military.

During his probation period, Jung will not be allowed to leave his unit, the committee said.

The military's alleged special treatment of celebrities on service has frequently been the subject of criticism from opposition lawmakers during regular parliamentary audits into government offices.

According to the ministry, Rain spent 71 days off duty last year, his first year serving in the military unit. The number is much larger than the average 43 days given to ordinary soldiers from 2009 through last year. He will be discharged in July. (Yonhap News)