U-Know Yunho of K-pop idol duo TVXQ finished his mandatory military service Thursday, promising fans a comeback for the team in the near future.

"Please look forward to the complete TVXQ to return. Now is the start," the 31-year-old singer told an estimated crowd of 800 fans and reporters in front of the Army's 26th Mechanized Infantry Division at Yangju, north east of Seoul.

The singer, whose original name is Jung Yun-ho, said he cherishes his experience in the military: "It was an opportunity to mature (personally) and learn to appreciate even the smallest things."

All able-bodied South Korean men are subject to compulsory military service for about two years in a country that faces North Korea across a heavily fortified border.

Yunho said he expects fellow TVXQ member Max Changmin, currently serving his duty, to wrap up his military service smoothly in August.

"I was able to serve in earnest because all of you trusted in TVXQ. Changmin will also faithfully end his service and come out."

Formed by S.M. Entertainment in 2003, TVXQ began as a five-member boy band and was immediately launched to mainstream success.

The group later plunged into legal conflict with S.M. after members Kim Jae-joong, Park Yoo-chun and Kim Jun-su split from the agency to form their new independent group JYJ. After a year-long hiatus, TVXQ made a comeback with the two remaining members. (Yonhap)