The Western District Court of Seoul sentenced Song Min-ho, known as Mino, a member of WINNER, to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence after finding him guilty of unauthorized absence for 102 days during his social service duty as an alternative to military conscription. If the verdict becomes final, he may have to return to complete the days missed.
The Western District Court of Seoul in South Korea sentenced Song Min-ho, or "Mino," a member of the boy band WINNER, to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence after ruling he violated South Korea's military service law by repeatedly failing to report for his alternative military service duties.
Mino, 33, served as a social service worker at a government agency in Seoul from March 2023 to December 2024, totaling about 21 months. Prosecutors stated that out of approximately 430 required working days, Mino was absent without permission for 102 days across multiple periods, not consecutively.
The court stated that military service is a duty that must be performed faithfully to maintain national security and sovereignty, and social service workers are no exception.
However, the court took into account that Mino admitted the charges and showed remorse, resulting in a suspended prison sentence of two years, meaning he will avoid jail if he commits no new crimes during the probation period.
Before the verdict, Mino told reporters he regretted what happened and apologized to those who had given him love and support but did not answer questions about whether he would return to military service if required.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Military Manpower Administration officials revealed that if this verdict becomes final, Mino may have to return to fulfill an additional 102 days of service, equal to the days he was absent without permission.
Officials said that if the verdict is enforced, Mino will have to compensate for the missed days. However, the ruling is from the lower court and not yet final, so details on the timing and form of additional service will depend on ongoing legal procedures.
The case began after South Korean media reported in 2024 that Mino frequently missed social service duties and took excessive sick leave, prompting authorities to investigate after his service ended that year.
Besides Mino, the official responsible for supervising his duties, who was jointly charged, was sentenced to 10 months in prison with two years probation for assisting Mino in evading duties and falsifying records to make it appear he regularly reported for work. Prosecutors had sought an 18-month prison term for Mino for dereliction of duty.
South Korea requires most able-bodied men to serve at least 18 months in the military. Some who qualify can perform alternative social service in public agencies or designated places due to health or related conditions.
Mino debuted as a member of WINNER in 2014 and has also pursued a solo career as a rapper and artist.
Military service by celebrities in South Korea attracts ongoing public attention because service interruption can affect careers in the highly competitive entertainment industry, while evasion or non-compliance can trigger social scrutiny and legal penalties.
Previously, several South Korean artists faced controversy over military service, such as Psy, known for "Gangnam Style," who had to serve twice after a Seoul court ruled he neglected duties by working in entertainment during his first service.
Another case involved Steve Yoo, a popular singer in the 1990s and early 2000s, who faced heavy criticism for avoiding military service in 2003 by renouncing South Korean citizenship and obtaining U.S. citizenship before his enlistment date. South Korean authorities subsequently banned him from entering the country.