URGENT UPDATE: K-Pop star Song Mino of the popular group WINNER may be facing a prison sentence as investigations into his military service conduct escalate. Authorities have confirmed that Mino neglected his alternative military service duties more severely than previously thought, with reports revealing over eight days of unauthorized absence.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office has officially indicted Mino without detention for violating the Korean Military Service Act, Article 89, which stipulates that leaving one’s service post without justification for eight days or more can lead to penalties of up to three years in prison. This serious charge comes as prosecutors uncovered additional unauthorized absences through a forensic analysis of his cell phone and GPS data.
Between March 2023 and December 2024, Mino, who served as a social service worker in Mapo-gu, Seoul, reportedly left his assigned workplace without authorization, raising significant legal concerns. Initial investigations confirmed more than eight days of absence, but recent findings suggest that the number may exceed this threshold, increasing the likelihood of incarceration.
Officials from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) explained that absences under seven days are typically managed administratively. However, incidents involving eight days or more are automatically escalated to criminal charges, leading to Mino’s case being forwarded to police and then to prosecutors.
During questioning, Mino initially denied the allegations but later admitted in his third interrogation that he had left his workplace during duty hours. As the investigation unfolds, the total days of confirmed absence continue to rise, heightening concerns about potential jail time depending on the court’s ruling.
Legal experts are closely monitoring the situation, noting that the growing number of unauthorized absences significantly increases the potential for a prison sentence. Fans and followers of Mino and WINNER are left anxious as they await further developments in this high-profile case.
With Mino’s future hanging in the balance, many are left to wonder how this will impact his career and the upcoming activities of WINNER, who recently announced their first promotions in over three years without Mino. As this situation develops, it remains a critical issue within the K-Pop community and beyond.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this urgent matter as it unfolds.
