Prosecutors have reportedly stated in the indictment that Song Min Ho of WINNER was absent from his public service duty for a total of 102 days.
According to the indictment dated February 11 KST, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office alleged that Song, while serving as a social service worker at a facilities management corporation and public convenience facility in Mapo gu, was absent without authorization for 102 days, leaving his post without valid reason.
Social service workers, who do not work on weekends or public holidays, are required to report to duty for about 430 days over a service period of one year and nine months. If the prosecution’s claim is accurate, Song would have been absent for roughly one quarter of his required service days. Under Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act, anyone who leaves their post for eight days or more without justifiable reason may face up to three years in prison.
The indictment states that Song’s absences increased as his discharge date approached. His service period ran from March 24, 2023 to December 23, 2024. While he was absent for only one day between March and May 2023, prosecutors allege that the number rose to 14 days in November 2024, one month before discharge. In July 2024, he was absent for 19 out of 23 scheduled workdays, reportedly serving only four days that month.
Prosecutors also believe a manager identified as Mr. A was involved. Mr. A, who was in charge of managing Song’s attendance, allegedly approved Song’s absences when he cited oversleeping or fatigue and then prepared and approved false documents to make it appear that he had reported to work. The indictment further claims Mr. A arbitrarily processed Song’s remaining annual and sick leave as part of the alleged conspiracy.
One example cited in the indictment states that on May 29, 2023 at around 6:09 PM, Mr. A sent Song a message saying, “I have training tomorrow and won’t be coming in, so see you on May 31.” Prosecutors allege that Song then did not report to work on May 30, and Mr. A later recorded him as having attended. The date of the message reportedly coincided with social media posts showing Song attending his sister’s wedding in San Francisco.
The prosecution said it uncovered additional unauthorized absences through supplementary investigations, including mobile phone forensics and GPS record analysis, beyond those initially referred by police. Song and Mr. A were indicted on charges including violation of the Military Service Act.
Song is reported to have largely acknowledged the allegations during the police investigation stage. However, YG Entertainment previously stated that his sick leave was an extension of treatment he had been receiving prior to enlistment and that other leave had been taken in accordance with regulations.
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