URGENT UPDATE: WINNER member Song Mino could face significant prison time as investigations reveal alarming details about his military service violations. Authorities confirm that Mino, who served in Mapo-gu, Seoul, repeatedly failed to report for duty, with evidence showing that his unauthorized absences may exceed the critical threshold of eight days.
According to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office, Mino has been indicted without detention for violating the Military Service Act. The case escalated following forensic analysis of his cell phone and GPS data, uncovering additional days of absence that officials had not initially accounted for. Legal experts now warn that Mino’s potential prison sentence could extend up to three years if convicted, as the evidence against him continues to mount.
Initial investigations confirmed over eight days of unauthorized absence, but supplementary inquiries revealed even more concerning data. The law, specifically Article 89 of the Military Service Act, stipulates that leaving one’s post without justifiable reason for this duration results in criminal charges. A spokesperson from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) stated that while absences under seven days are typically addressed administratively, those exceeding eight days are automatically escalated to criminal proceedings.
Mino’s absences occurred between March 2023 and December 2024, during which he was supposed to serve as a social service worker. Initially, during two rounds of police questioning, Mino denied the allegations. However, he changed his tune in a subsequent interrogation, admitting to leaving his workplace during designated work hours.
As investigations progress, the number of confirmed unauthorized absence days continues to rise, heightening the possibility of a jail sentence. This developing situation not only puts Mino’s career at risk but also raises questions about the responsibilities of K-pop idols during their military service. Fans and followers are left anxious about the future of one of their beloved idols, as Mino’s legal troubles unfold.
The outcome of this case is yet to be determined, but what remains clear is the urgent nature of the situation. As the public awaits further developments, Mino’s fate hangs in the balance, with implications that extend beyond his personal life and into the broader discourse surrounding military service obligations in South Korea.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available and the legal proceedings continue.
