WINNER member Song Mino, who has been indicted for allegedly violating South Korea’s Military Service Act, is expected to return to court as a witness in the trial of his former supervisor, who is accused of conspiring in the case.
According to reports confirmed on July 8, Song Mino is scheduled to testify at the third hearing of supervisor A, who is facing charges of violating the Military Service Act. The hearing will take place on July 14 at the Seoul Western District Court.
During the previous hearing, A’s attorney acknowledged that there had been irregularities in handling attendance records but denied any prior conspiracy with Song Mino. The defense argued that while mistakes may have occurred in processing attendance documents, there was no premeditated agreement or division of roles to falsify work records.
A’s legal team subsequently requested Song Mino as a witness. The court indicated that it would consider approving the request once the formal application was submitted. The witness application was reportedly filed on July 7.
Prosecutors currently believe that supervisor A actively participated in covering up Song Mino’s repeated absences from his assigned workplace. According to the investigation, whenever Song Mino informed A that he would not report to work due to oversleeping, fatigue, or other reasons, the supervisor allegedly approved the absence and later created false documents indicating that Song Mino had attended work as scheduled.
According to the indictment, prosecutors stated that in May 2023, A informed Song Mino in advance that he would not be present at work because of training, telling him, “I have training tomorrow, so I won’t be at work. See you on May 31.” Prosecutors allege that Song Mino subsequently failed to report for duty on his own initiative, while attendance records were later falsified to indicate that he had worked that day.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office indicted both Song Mino and supervisor A without detention on December 30 last year. Prosecutors allege that between March 2023 and December 2024, Song Mino repeatedly left his assigned workplace without legitimate reasons and neglected his duties while serving as a public service worker at a facility in Mapo District, Seoul. Supervisor A is accused of knowingly neglecting his oversight responsibilities despite being aware of Song Mino’s poor attendance.
The court held the first hearing for both defendants on April 21. During that session, prosecutors requested a prison sentence of one year and six months for Song Mino after he admitted all charges listed in the indictment.
In his final statement, Song Mino apologized to the court, saying, “I would like to sincerely apologize to Your Honor and everyone present today. As a citizen of South Korea, I failed to faithfully fulfill my mandatory military service until the very end.”
He continued, “I suffer from bipolar disorder and panic disorder, but I fully understand that these illnesses should never be used as excuses or justifications. As someone who has received so much love from the public, I am deeply ashamed that I failed to set a proper example. I regret my choices tremendously.”
Song Mino also stated that he is currently undergoing treatment and expressed his willingness to serve again if given the opportunity. “I am working hard on my recovery. If I am granted the chance to complete my military service again, I will faithfully fulfill it to the end. Once again, I sincerely apologize,” he said.
Song Mino was classified as Grade 4 during his military physical examination and began fulfilling his mandatory service as a public service worker at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation in March 2023. In March 2024, he was transferred to the Mapo Community Convenience Facility.
However, shortly before completing his service, allegations surfaced regarding poor attendance and negligent performance. Reports cited frequent sick leave and repeated absences. It has also been reported that Song Mino had been receiving treatment for panic disorder and bipolar disorder.
Although he officially completed his public service on December 23, 2024, allegations soon emerged that he had repeatedly failed to report for duty during his service. As a result, the Mapo Police Station summoned him for questioning on January 23 last year on suspicion of violating the Military Service Act.
At the time, Song Mino explained his position to investigators, insisting that he had “performed his duties according to regulations” and that “there had been no issues with his service.” However, following three rounds of questioning, investigators concluded that he had largely admitted to poor attendance and unauthorized absences.
According to the prosecution’s indictment, Song Mino was absent without authorization for a total of 102 days while serving at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation and the Mapo Community Convenience Facility. Public service workers are required to complete approximately 430 working days over their one year and nine months of service, excluding weekends and public holidays. Prosecutors therefore allege that Song Mino was absent for nearly one-quarter of his required service period. In July 2024 alone, he allegedly missed 19 out of 23 scheduled working days, reporting for duty on only four days.
Sources: Daum
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