WINNER’s Song Min Ho faces trial for alleged breach of Military Service Act

WINNER member Song Min Ho (Mino) is set to face trial on charges of violating South Korea’s Military Service Act, drawing significant public attention.

The Seoul Western District Court is scheduled to hold the first hearing on April 21 for Song Min Ho and an official identified as “A,” who was responsible for supervising his service. Both have been indicted without detention on charges related to violations of the Military Service Act.

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office previously indicted the two on December 30, 2025. According to prosecutors, Song Min Ho served as a public service worker from March 2023 to December 2024 at a facility in Mapo District, Seoul. During this period, he is accused of repeatedly leaving his assigned workplace without valid reasons and neglecting his duties.

The supervising official, A, is also accused of failing to properly oversee Song’s service despite being aware of his alleged negligence. It was further revealed that Song Min Ho transferred to the same facility just one month after A had been reassigned there.

Song Min Ho had been classified as a Grade 4 supplementary service member following his military physical examination. He began fulfilling his duty as a public service worker at the Mapo Facilities Management Corporation in March 2023 and later transferred to a local community welfare facility in March 2024. However, allegations of poor attendance and negligence surfaced shortly before his discharge in December 2024.

Reports indicate that Song Min Ho had a history of receiving treatment for mental health conditions, including panic disorder and bipolar disorder, which had previously been cited in relation to his service.

After being discharged on December 23, 2024, suspicions arose that he had failed to properly report to work during his service period. The Mapo Police Station launched an investigation on January 23, 2025. While Song initially denied wrongdoing, stating that he had followed regulations and fulfilled his duties, investigations conducted over three rounds of questioning reportedly led to a general admission of negligent service and unauthorized absences.

According to the indictment, Song Min Ho was absent without permission for a total of 102 days during his service. Given that public service workers are required to serve approximately 430 working days over 21 months (excluding weekends and holidays), his alleged absences account for nearly one-quarter of his total service period. In July 2024 alone, he reportedly missed 19 out of 23 working days.

Prosecutors also allege that the supervising official actively facilitated these violations. It is claimed that when Song Min Ho informed A that he would not report to work due to oversleeping or fatigue, A approved the absences and falsified official records to make it appear as though he had attended. Evidence submitted by prosecutors suggests coordinated actions between the two, including instances where A pre-informed Song of his own absence, allowing Song to skip work, after which attendance records were allegedly fabricated.

Amid the controversy, Song Min Ho was recently spotted at a VIP premiere of the film 'METHOD ACTING' at a theater in Seoul’s COEX. Witnesses reported that he attended wearing a mask and a hat to conceal his identity. His appearance sparked further discussion online, particularly due to his known friendship with actor Lee Dong Hwi. However, Lee Dong Hwi denied inviting Song to the event in an interview, stating, “I did not contact him. I only heard that he attended.”

Public criticism has intensified as the trial approaches. Attention is now focused on how Song Min Ho will present himself in court and how the legal proceedings will unfold in the coming weeks.