Song Mino Military Service Indictment Explained

The Song Mino Military Service Indictment has drawn major attention after prosecutors alleged that the WINNER member was absent without authorization for 102 days while serving as a public service worker. According to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, Song left his assigned workplace without justifiable cause during his mandatory alternative military service.

Public service workers in South Korea do not work on weekends or public holidays. Out of Song’s 1 year and 9 months of service, the total required working days amounted to approximately 430. If prosecutors’ claims are accurate, the 102 days of alleged absence would represent roughly one-quarter of his total required service days.

Under Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act, individuals who leave their service for eight days or more without justifiable cause may face imprisonment of up to three years.

Song Mino served from March 24, 2023, to December 23, 2024. According to the indictment obtained by JoongAng Ilbo, his unauthorized absences reportedly increased as his discharge date approached.

Between March and May 2023, he was allegedly absent for only one day. However, the number of absences rose significantly later in his service. In July 2024, during the nationwide monsoon season, he was reportedly absent for 19 days out of 23 scheduled working days, meaning he worked only four days that month. In November 2024, just one month before his discharge, he was allegedly absent for 14 days.

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Prosecutors also indicted a manager identified as “A,” who was responsible for overseeing Song’s attendance. The indictment claims that when Song informed the manager he would not report to work due to fatigue or oversleeping, the manager permitted the absences and allegedly falsified attendance records.

Authorities further allege that the manager processed Song’s remaining annual leave and sick leave days arbitrarily to facilitate the arrangement. Prosecutors stated that they secured objective evidence through mobile phone forensics and GPS records, identifying additional unauthorized absences beyond those initially forwarded by police.

One specific instance cited in the indictment occurred around May 29, 2023. The manager reportedly informed Song that he would not be present at work the following day due to training. Song then allegedly did not report to work on May 30 at his own discretion. Prosecutors claim the daily service log was prepared as though he had attended work. That same period coincided with photos posted on social media showing Song in San Francisco attending his sister’s wedding.

Previously, YG Entertainment addressed the controversy by stating that Song’s sick leave was an extension of treatment he had been receiving prior to enlistment, and that all other leave was used in accordance with regulations.

Reports indicate that Song largely acknowledged the allegations of absence during the police investigation stage. Attempts to reach his attorney for additional comment have reportedly been unsuccessful.

The first court hearing was initially scheduled for March 24 but was postponed after a request from Song’s side on the 5th. The Seoul Western District Court has now set the first hearing for April 21.

As the case proceeds, the outcome of the Song Mino Military Service Indictment could have significant legal and career implications, depending on the court’s findings regarding the alleged unauthorized absences.

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