Prosecutors Say WINNER’s Song Mino Skipped 102 Days of Mandatory Service, Court Date Set for April

WINNER member Song Mino is facing serious legal scrutiny after prosecutors alleged he was absent from his mandatory social service duties for a total of 102 days.

According to an indictment reportedly confirmed on February 11, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office stated that Song, who served as a public service worker in Mapo District from March 2023 to December 2024, was absent without valid reason on 102 working days.

102 Days Out of About 430 Required Workdays

Public service workers are generally required to work approximately 430 days over their 21-month service period, excluding weekends and holidays.

If the prosecution’s claims are upheld, Song would have missed nearly one-quarter of his required service days.

Under Korea’s Military Service Act, leaving service without legitimate reason for more than eight days can result in a sentence of up to three years in prison.

Absences Increased Near Discharge, Prosecutors Claim

The indictment reportedly outlines a pattern in which Song’s absences became more frequent as his discharge date approached.

• Early 2023: Only one day of absence between March and May
• November 2024 (one month before discharge): 14 days absent
• July 2024: 19 absences out of 23 scheduled workdays

Prosecutors also claim that additional unreported absences were discovered through digital forensics and GPS data analysis.

Alleged Collusion With Supervisor

The indictment further alleges that a facility supervisor helped cover up some absences.

According to prosecutors, when Song reportedly informed the supervisor he would not attend work due to fatigue or oversleeping, the supervisor allegedly approved the absence and later filed documents indicating normal attendance.

In one cited message exchange from May 2023, the supervisor reportedly told Song he would not be at work the next day due to training which prosecutors interpret as a hint that Song could also skip work. Song allegedly did not report to duty the following day, and records were later marked as if he had.

Agency Previously Responded

During the police investigation stage, Song reportedly acknowledged parts of the absence allegations.

However, his agency YG Entertainment previously stated that medical leave taken during service was related to ongoing treatment that began before enlistment, and that other leave days were used in accordance with regulations.

First Hearing Rescheduled

Song and the supervisor have both been indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

The first court hearing, originally scheduled for March 24, has been postponed and is now set for April 21 at the Seoul Western District Court.

The case has drawn significant public attention given Song’s high profile as a member of WINNER. Further developments are expected as the trial proceeds.