The 10th Criminal Division of the Western Seoul District Court has set the first hearing date for Song Mino of WINNER and his former service supervisor, identified as A, both accused of violating South Korea’s Military Service Law. The prosecution filed the charge without detention on December 30, 2025.
Song Mino served as a public service employee from March 2023 to December 2024 at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul. He is accused of having abandoned his assigned job without adequate authorization and of having repeatedly neglected his duties, including absences and poor attendance without valid justification.
Supervisor A is accused of failing to properly manage and supervise Song Mino’s service, despite 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 said they obtained objective evidence through forensic analysis of mobile phones, GPS data, CCTV footage and electronic recordings. 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 call for a police investigation. Song Mino was questioned three times and initially denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had followed the rules. He later admitted leaving work during working hours in parts of the investigation.
Legal experts have clarified that although some members of the public have called for Song Mino to reenlist as an active duty soldier, such action is not legally possible under the current military law, as he has already completed his service. Potential sanctions depend on the number of confirmed days of absence and may include imprisonment of up to three years under the Military Service Act.
The case has attracted public attention in a context of growing scrutiny of public service workers’ compliance with duties. In response, authorities have announced plans to strengthen attendance monitoring through electronic verification systems.
Sources: Daum
