The first hearing in the case of Song Minho, member of the WINNER who is charged with evasion of military service, took place on April 21.

The prosecution requested a prison sentence of one year and six months.

Mino served as a social worker in alternative military service from March 2023 to December 2024, having been classified as a Grade 4 disability and unfit for active duty.

It was revealed that Mino repeatedly failed to show up for work and left his assigned workplace without permission. He did so by colluding with an individual identified as Mr. A, who falsified time sheets to create the appearance of his presence at work or recorded his absences as sick leave.

Read more: Mino of WINNER could face up to three years in prison

Under Article 89 of the Republic of Korea’s Military Service Act, leaving one’s post without a valid reason for eight days or more can result in up to three years in prison.

Prosecutors calculated Mino’s time away from service and put the figure at 102 days. Nevertheless, as can be seen, the requested sentence is not the maximum but half of that.

Mino’s lawyer argued: “At the time, the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder, including bipolar disorder and panic attacks, as well as physical pain from a cervical spine rupture. He voluntarily provided evidence that could have been unfavorable to him during the investigation.”

The lawyer then called for leniency, “so that Mino may once again answer the country’s call and be reborn as an honest member of society.”

Mino admitted his guilt and said in his final statement: “I could not faithfully fulfill my military duty, a duty that I, as a young citizen of the Republic of Korea, should have fulfilled. I regret having shown my shameful side as a person loved by many. I want to restore my health as soon as possible, and if I am given the opportunity to re‑enlist, I would like to serve faithfully to the end.”

A final ruling has not yet been made. The court will continue the proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for May 21. Only after that will the date for the sentencing be set.

Sources 1, 2, 3