The Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 10 has set the first hearing date for WINNER’s Song Mino and his former service supervisor, identified as A, who are both charged with violating South Korea’s Military Service Act. The prosecution filed the indictment without detention on December 30, 2025.
Song Mino served as a public service worker from March 2023 to December 2024 at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul. He is accused of leaving his assigned workplace without proper authorization and repeatedly neglecting his duties, including absences and poor attendance without valid justification.
Supervisor A is accused of failing to properly manage and oversee Song Mino’s service, despite allegedly being aware of his repeated misconduct. Reports indicate that Song Mino was transferred to the same facility as A approximately one month after A’s reassignment.
Prosecutors stated they secured objective evidence through mobile phone forensic analysis, GPS data, CCTV footage, and electronic records. The investigation reportedly confirmed additional unauthorized absences beyond those initially suspected.
Song Mino completed his service and was officially discharged on December 23, 2024. However, the allegations surfaced shortly before his discharge, prompting the Military Manpower Administration to request a police investigation. Song Mino was questioned three times and initially denied wrongdoing, stating that he had followed regulations. He later admitted to leaving his workplace during duty hours in parts of the investigation.
Legal experts have clarified that although some public opinion has called for Song Mino to re-enlist as an active-duty soldier, such action is not legally possible under current military law, as he has already completed his service. Potential penalties depend on the number of confirmed absence days and may include imprisonment of up to three years under the Military Service Act.
The case has drawn widespread public attention amid growing scrutiny over public service workers’ duty compliance. In response, authorities announced plans to strengthen attendance monitoring through electronic verification systems.
Sources: Daum