Super Junior's Leeteuk to return to military service today

Leader of popular K-pop boy band Super Junior, Leeteuk, will be returning to serve his military service today, following his emergency leave to attend his father and grandparents' funeral.

Entertainment website allkpop.com reported that the 30-year-old singer, whose real name is Park Jeong-su, was on emergency leave for five days since Jan 6, when news broke that his father, Park Yong, was found hanged, and his grandfather Park Hyun Suk, 84, and grandmother Chun Kyung Tae, 79, were found dead in their home in Seoul on Monday (Jan 5) morning.

The bodies were discovered by Leeteuk's newphew, who called the police.

A suicide note said to be written by Leeteuk's father was later found in the home. It read: "I will take my parents and go to heaven together. I am sorry to my children."

The K-pop idol took immediate leave and rushed to the Korea University Medical Center (Guro Hospital) funeral parlour to be with his family.

He wore a black suit with a dark cap and started crying when he met his elder sister at the wake. His mother, who is divorced from his father, reportedly fainted several times while in tears.

Leeteuk will be returning to his military unit in Injegun, Gangwondo, at 2pm (3pm local time).

A spokesman from the Military Manpower Administrated stated that the tragedy does not affect Leeteuk's discharge date.

"In the case of one's parents dying during military service, there is no rule to allow an early discharge, although there are cases of reduction and/or exemption based on grounds of difficulties that compromise their livelihood.

"In those cases, one has to be screened in terms of assets, monthly income, number of family members in his household, and more to apply with the necessary documents and check if they meet the requirements," said the spokesman.

SM Entertainment also stated that Leeteuk will be discharged on the set date, which is scheduled to be on July 29.

Leeteuk has been on mandatory military service since Oct 2012.