Summary Prosecutors have requested an 18-month prison sentence in relation to the charges of alleged service non-fulfilment.
(Web Desk) - The intersection of celebrity life and South Korea’s mandatory military service has long been a sensitive and closely watched issue.
On April 20, 2026, that ongoing public scrutiny came into focus again as Song Mino, a member of the boy band WINNER, appeared at the Seoul Western District Court for the first hearing in his trial related to alleged violations of the Military Service Act.
Mino enlisted on March 24, 2023, and was assigned as a public service worker at a welfare facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul. This role is designated for individuals with specific health or personal circumstances, but it is legally considered an alternative form of military service.
According to prosecutors, concerns were raised over his attendance record between March 2023 and December 2024. They allege that he took more than 100 days of unplanned leave during this period and, at times, left his assigned workplace during official working hours, resulting in what they describe as a failure to fully carry out his duties.
The Seoul Western District Court and prosecution have approached the case with emphasis on maintaining consistency in military service obligations. Although Mino completed his service term and was discharged in December 2024, the case is being reviewed retroactively based on the alleged violations during his service period.
Prosecutors have requested an 18-month prison sentence in relation to the charges of alleged service non-fulfilment.
