WINNER member Song Mino has been indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act, with prosecutors alleging that the idol was absent from his assigned public service duties for a total of 102 days.
According to a report by JoongAng Ilbo on February 12, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office stated in the indictment that Song, who served as a public service worker at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation and a local community welfare facility, “left his duty without justifiable reason by being absent without permission for 102 days.”
102 Days Out of Approximately 430 Working Days
Public service workers in South Korea do not report to duty on weekends and public holidays. Over the course of the standard 1 year and 9 months service period, they are required to work roughly 430 days. If the prosecution’s claims are upheld, Song would have been absent for nearly one-quarter of his total required working days.
Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act stipulates that anyone who leaves their service for 8 days or more without valid reason may face up to three years in prison.
Song’s service period ran from March 24, 2023, to December 23, 2024. Prosecutors claim that the number of absences increased as his discharge date approached. While he was reportedly absent for only one day between March and May 2023, the number allegedly rose to 14 days in November 2024, one month before his discharge.
In July 2024, during the country’s monsoon season, Song allegedly missed 19 out of 23 required working days, meaning he reported to duty for only four days that month.
Supervisor Also Indicted for Alleged Collusion
Prosecutors believe that Song did not act alone. A supervisor, identified as “A,” who was responsible for managing attendance and work records of public service personnel, has also been indicted.
The indictment claims that whenever Song informed the supervisor that he would not report to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, the supervisor approved the absence. Furthermore, prosecutors allege that the supervisor falsified official attendance documents to make it appear as though Song had reported to duty as normal. Remaining annual leave and sick leave were allegedly processed arbitrarily to conceal the absences.
One specific incident cited in the indictment took place on May 29, 2023. Prosecutors state that the supervisor sent Song a message saying, “I have training tomorrow, so I won’t be coming in. See you on May 31,” effectively notifying him in advance of the supervisor’s absence. Song allegedly did not report to work the following day, May 30, and the supervisor later recorded the day as if he had attended.
Notably, May 29 was also the date when photos surfaced on social media showing Song attending his younger sister’s wedding in San Francisco.
Additional Evidence Secured Through Forensics
The case was forwarded to prosecutors in May of last year. The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office announced on December 30 that they secured objective evidence through mobile phone forensics and GPS data analysis.
Based on this supplementary investigation, prosecutors stated they uncovered additional unauthorized absences beyond those initially referred by the police.
Both Song Mino and the supervisor have now been formally charged with violating the Military Service Act.
Agency Response and Trial Date
During the police investigation stage, Song reportedly admitted to most of the allegations regarding his absences. However, his agency, YG Entertainment, previously denied claims of negligent service, stating: “Song Mino’s use of sick leave was an extension of treatment he had been receiving prior to enlistment, and all other leave was used in accordance with regulations.”
Attempts to reach Song’s legal representative for further comment have reportedly gone unanswered.
The first trial was initially scheduled for March 24 but has been postponed after Song’s side submitted a request to delay the hearing on February 5. The Seoul Western District Court will now hold the first hearing on April 21.
As the case moves to trial, public attention remains focused on how the court will assess the prosecution’s evidence and the implications it may carry for high-profile public service cases in the entertainment industry.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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