[26.02.14] Song Mino Military Service Controversy: 102 Days Absent, Trial Set for April

WINNER’s Song Mino Indicted for 102 Days of Absence During Public Service…Possible Prison Sentence

📍About one-quarter of service missed; attendance record manipulation suspected, first trial on April 21

Song Mino of K-pop group WINNER has been sent to trial for allegedly being absent for 102 days during his public service duty. As the case may constitute a violation of the Military Service Act, attention is focused on the potential level of criminal punishment.

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🔹Indictment Under Military Service Act

According to entertainment and legal sources, Song served as a public service worker at a facility under the Mapo District Facilities Management Corporation in Seoul and is accused of leaving duty without legitimate reason.

The prosecution indictment reportedly states that he was absent for a total of 102 days. Considering an estimated 430 actual working days during the approximately 21-month service period, the absences account for roughly one-quarter of his service.

🔹 Legal Penalties
Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act stipulates that a public service worker who leaves duty for eight or more days without legitimate reason can face up to three years in prison.

Legal experts explain that unlike lateness or early leave, a “service abandonment” classification constitutes a criminal offense. Some speculation about mandatory re-enlistment as an active-duty soldier has been dismissed because he has already completed his service.

🔹 Severity Compared With Precedents
Court precedents show the seriousness of the case.

A 2024 case involving 15 days of absence resulted in a six-month prison sentence, and another involving 36 days resulted in four months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence. Song’s 102-day absence is roughly 13 times the legal threshold of eight days.

Legal observers say the matter is unlikely to be treated as a simple administrative violation.

🔹 Alleged Manipulation of Attendance Records
Another key issue concerns the handling of attendance records by a supervisor at the service institution.

The indictment reportedly includes allegations that absences were processed as paid or sick leave to make them appear as normal attendance. Depending on the circumstances, this could constitute false official document preparation or document forgery.

If Song requested or tolerated the conduct, aiding or abetting charges could also apply.

🔹 Outlook for the Trial
Song’s first court hearing is scheduled for April 21.

Legal analysts say imprisonment cannot be ruled out if the court recognizes the scale of the absences and evidence of organized conduct, although first-offender status, completion of service, and acknowledgment of wrongdoing may be considered in sentencing.

One-line summary : Song Mino faces possible imprisonment after being indicted for 102 days of absence during his public service duty.