UPDATE: K-Pop star Song Mino of the group WINNER is now facing potential prison time as investigations reveal serious violations of his military service duties. Authorities have confirmed that Mino, serving as a social service worker, failed to report for duty and left his assigned workplace without authorization on multiple occasions.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office has indicted Mino without detention for violating Article 89 of the Korean Military Service Act. This article indicates that leaving one’s service post without justifiable reason for eight days or more can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years. Recent forensic analysis of Mino’s cell phone and GPS data has uncovered that his unauthorized absences now exceed the critical threshold, raising the stakes significantly.
Officials from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) confirmed that Mino’s absences occurred between March 2023 and December 2024. Initial police investigations uncovered more than eight days of unauthorized absence, but subsequent investigations revealed even more days missing. While absences within seven days are typically managed administratively, those exceeding eight days automatically escalate to criminal charges, prompting the case to move from police to prosecution.
During earlier police questioning, Mino denied the allegations; however, he later admitted in a third interrogation to leaving his workplace during work hours. As the confirmed number of absence days continues to rise, legal experts indicate that the likelihood of a prison sentence is increasing.
The K-Pop community is reacting strongly to these developments, with fans expressing concern over the implications for Mino’s career and personal life. As the legal proceedings unfold, many are left wondering about the future of the popular idol.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as Mino’s fate hangs in the balance. The next court hearing will be critical in determining the outcome of his case and could have lasting impacts on both his career and the broader K-Pop industry.
