Absent without leave for one-fourth of the period of service…! Popular Korean Male Idol “Accused of Violating Military Service Law” and Expected to be Heavily Punished

〈Without just cause, he deserted his service.

The indictment, unsealed on February 12, states.

“MINO was absent from work for a total of 102 days without permission and deserted his duty without justifiable reason.

The indictment filed by the Seoul District Public Prosecutors Office in the western part of Seoul charges MINO (real name: Song Min-ho, 32), a member of the popular male idol group “WINNER” and well-known in Japan, with “absent without leave of absence without justifiable reason. MINO worked at a facility in Seoul from March 2011 to December 2012 as a social service member, an alternative to compulsory military service. However, according to prosecutors, he was absent without permission for 102 days, or about a quarter of the 430 days he worked.

Before introducing the charges against MINO in detail, we would like to take a look back at his illustrious career.

“I debuted in July ’11 as a rapper in charge of a male vocal group.’ In August ’14, he joined “WINNER” as a starting member. The group debuted in Japan the following September. The group’s popularity in Korea was tremendous, and their mini-album “WE” released in May ’19 reached No. 1 on five online sites within three hours of its release. MINO, in particular, enjoys overwhelming support from young people in their teens and twenties,” said an employee of a major record company.

A popular idol was indicted. In South Korea, young people are shocked by the indictment of a popular idol.

MINO’s unauthorized absences from work seemed to increase with each passing day. According to the prosecutors, from March to May of ’23, when he began working as a social service worker, it was only one day. However, in July ’24, he was reportedly absent without leave nearly 20 days in one month.

The reason for this seems to be the presence of A, who was in charge of MINO’s work, and when MINO complained that he did not want to work today because of his poor health, A allowed him to do so. Furthermore, it is alleged that A created and reported false documents to make it look as if MINO was working without any problems. The prosecutors decided to prosecute him for violating the Military Service Act based on the documents left on his computer and other devices, as well as the communication on his smartphone,” said a Korean newspaper reporter.

“As an example.”

MINO generally admits to the content of the indictment.

According to the Korean Military Service Act, if a member of the community service arrives late or leaves early without a valid reason, he or she is imprisoned for up to one year. If they leave the service for more than eight days without permission, they will be imprisoned for up to three years. Shinichi Hen, editor-in-chief of “Korea Report” and an expert on Korean affairs, explains.

Military service and its alternatives are the greatest obligation for Korean men to protect their country. If they fail to do so, social sanctions will be severe. Except for serious crimes such as murder, violating the Military Service Act is one of the most problematic behaviors in Korea.

And if it is a person who has great influence in society, such as the male idol in this case, the authorities cannot overlook it. The maximum punishment may be imposed as a “lesson to the public. He may not be able to work in the entertainment industry in the future.

MINO’s trial was originally scheduled to begin on March 24, but he requested that it be postponed. Since the trial requires the defendant to appear, the request was granted and the first trial is scheduled to be held on April 21.