UPDATE: WINNER member Song Mino is facing urgent legal repercussions as investigations reveal he allegedly neglected his military service duties more severely than previously thought. Authorities have confirmed that Mino, who served as a social service worker in Mapo-gu, Seoul, failed to report for duty multiple times, now facing potential prison time.
Prosecutors have indicted Mino without detention for violating the Military Service Act, revealing that his confirmed unauthorized absences have now exceeded the critical threshold of eight days. Under the law, this can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years. Initial reports confirmed over eight days of unauthorized absence, but recent forensic analysis of his cell phone and GPS data unveiled even more days of neglect.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office stated that the investigation has expanded during supplementary questioning, raising the stakes for Mino significantly. Legal experts emphasize that with the number of confirmed absences rising, the likelihood of a prison sentence has increased dramatically.
Mino’s unauthorized absences reportedly occurred between March 2023 and December 2024. During this period, he was tasked with social service duties but left his post without authorization. Initially, he denied the allegations during two rounds of police questioning; however, he later admitted to leaving his workplace during work hours in a third interrogation.
Officials from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) clarified that cases of absenteeism exceeding seven days are escalated to criminal charges, which is why Mino’s case has been referred to police and prosecutors for further action.
The public reaction to the news has been intense, with fans expressing concern over Mino’s future and the potential implications for his career. The K-Pop community is closely monitoring the situation, as any conviction could significantly impact not just Mino but also his group, WINNER, who are gearing up for their first promotions in over three years without him.
As the investigation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the court’s judgment regarding Mino’s fate. The urgency of this situation has captured widespread attention, making it a trending topic for discussion among fans and the media alike.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story evolves.
