WINNER’s MINO Could Face Three Years Of Prison In Military Evasion Case Update
Prosecutors have reportedly stated in the indictment that WINNER‘s MINO was absent without leave for a total of 102 days while serving as a public service worker.
According to the indictment obtained by JoongAng Ilbo on February 11, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office specified that Song skipped a total of 102 days illegally.
“Song was absent without authorization for a total of 102 days without legitimate reason while serving as a public service worker at a facility management corporation and community welfare facility in Mapo-gu.”
Public service workers do not work on weekends or public holidays, and during the 1 year and 9 month service period, they are required to report to work for approximately 430 days. If the prosecution’s claim is accurate, Song would have been absent for nearly one quarter of his required service days. Under Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act, those who leave their service without just cause for eight days or more can face up to three years in prison.
According to the indictment, Song’s absences increased as his discharge date approached. His service period lasted from March 24, 2023, to December 23, 2024. The prosecution’s record of offenses shows that he was absent for only one day between March and May 2023, but by November 2024, one month before discharge, the number had increased to 14 days. In July 2024, during the nationwide monsoon season, he was absent for 19 days. Of the 23 workdays scheduled that month, he reportedly attended only four.
Prosecutors also believe that a manager, identified as Mr. A, was involved. According to the indictment, Mr. A was responsible for overseeing Song’s attendance and overall service management. The prosecution claims that when Song said he would not come to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, Mr. A permitted it and later falsified documents to make it appear as though Song had worked normally. It is also alleged that Mr. A arbitrarily processed Song’s remaining annual leave and sick leave as part of the scheme.
The indictment includes specific details of alleged collusion. Prosecutors state that on May 29, 2023, at around 6.09pm, Mr. A sent Song a message saying, “I have training tomorrow and won’t be coming in, so see you on May 31,” informing him in advance that he would not be at work. Song then allegedly did not report to work on May 30, and Mr. A later filled out the daily service log as if Song had attended. The date of that message, May 29, was also when photos were posted on Song’s sister’s social media showing that he had traveled to San Francisco, USA, to attend her wedding.
Prosecutors stated that these details were uncovered through supplemental investigation after the case was handed over in May of last year. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office Criminal Division 1 announced on December 30 that they secured objective evidence through mobile phone forensics and GPS data verification and identified additional absences beyond those initially sent by police. Song and Mr. A were subsequently indicted on charges of violating the Military Service Act.
It has been reported that Song largely acknowledged the allegations during the police investigation stage. However, his agency, YG Entertainment, previously stated that his sick leave was an extension of medical treatment he had been receiving before enlistment and that all other leave was taken in accordance with regulations. Attempts to contact Song’s legal representative for further comment were unsuccessful.
The first trial was originally scheduled for March 24, but Song’s side submitted a request for postponement, leading to a change in schedule. The first hearing is now set to take place on April 21 at the Seoul Western District Court.
