URGENT UPDATE: Song Mino, a member of the K-Pop group WINNER, may be heading to prison as investigations reveal serious violations of his military service obligations. Authorities confirmed that Mino, who served as a social service worker in Mapo-gu, Seoul, failed to report for duty multiple times, with his unauthorized absences now exceeding eight days, a critical threshold under Korean law.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office has indicted Mino without detention for violating the Military Service Act, with prosecutors stating that the number of confirmed absences has risen during ongoing investigations. Initial police inquiries uncovered over eight days of unauthorized absence, but forensic analysis of Mino’s cell phone and GPS data revealed even more alarming details, raising the stakes of this case.
Under the Korean Military Service Act Article 89, leaving a service post without justifiable reason for eight days or more can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years. Legal experts are now warning that the prospect of incarceration becomes increasingly likely as the confirmed absence days climb.
Mino’s absences occurred between March 2023 and December 2024, with officials noting that his case was escalated to criminal charges due to the duration of his unauthorized time away from duty. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) has clarified that absences lasting less than seven days are typically resolved administratively, but those exceeding eight days are treated as criminal offenses.
Initially, Mino denied the allegations during two rounds of police questioning but eventually admitted to leaving his workplace during work hours in a subsequent interrogation. With the investigation still active, Mino’s situation remains precarious, and the potential for jail time looms large depending on the court’s decisions.
The K-Pop community and fans worldwide are closely monitoring this developing story, as Mino’s future hangs in the balance. As more details emerge, the impact on his career and the broader implications for military service compliance in South Korea are becoming increasingly significant.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent matter, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
