Will WINNER’s Song Mino Have To Re-Enlist And Re-Serve In The Military?

19 hours ago 2

In three rounds of investigations, the idol admitted to what he was accused of.

7 minutes ago

On March 31, 2025 (KST), the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency stated that WINNER member Song Mino “largely admitted to leaving his workplace during business hours” while serving his military duty.

After completing the third round of investigations into Song Mino’s case, the authorities have largely acknowledged allegations that he was absent for an extended period while enlisted as a public service worker.

WINNER’s Mino Admits To Previous Suspicions Of Escaping Military Duties

Following the statement, Korean fans wondered if this means the idol will have to go back and re-serve his duty. Some have argued that he should take responsibility by re-enlisting as an active-duty soldier. Sports Seoul reported, however, that it is unlikely he will have to enlist again.

Under the current military service law, there are two disciplinary measures for public service workers who abandon their duty. One is an extension of service. According to Article 33 of the Military Service Act, if a public service worker leaves their place of service without a legitimate reason, their service period is extended by five times the number of days they were absent.

The other measure is criminal punishment. If a worker is absent or does not serve for a total of eight or more unauthorized days, they could face up to three years in prison.

There is also no legal basis, according to Article 32 of the Military Service Act, to put Song Mino through enlistment again. A Military Manpower Administration (MMA) official told Sports Seoul, “There is no legal basis for converting a public service worker into active duty due to issues arising during their service.” While disciplinary actions are possible, re-enlistment is not an option.

That said, PSY‘s two military services have been cited to justify calls for Song Mino’s re-enlistment. Sports Seoul clarified that their cases are different:

PSY was initially classified as eligible for active duty in the 2001 draft. However, in 2003, he obtained a computer engineering certification and was reassigned as an industrial technical personnel worker. While working at his designated company, PSY’s assignment was revoked under Article 41 of the Military Service Act due to non-compliance with industry-specific work requirements. As a result, PSY’s designation as an industrial technical personnel worker was canceled, and he enlisted at the Nonsan Training Center in 2007, subsequently serving 20 months as an active-duty soldier.

The police and the Military Manpower Administration are continuing to evaluate the circumstances and duration of Song Mino’s absence, as well as whether there were legitimate reasons for it. If found guilty of violating military service laws, the idol may face an extension of his service period, criminal punishment, or administrative measures such as reassignment to a different service institution—but not re-enlistment.

That said, K-Pop fans are not impressed. The call of criminal punishment is fierce.

“He should face proper criminal punishment. Don’t make fools out of those who served their full term properly.”
“He should either go through the medical examination again or go to prison.”
“Right to jail.”
“Just follow the rules and let him be criminally punished. There’s a system in place, so what’s the problem? Are they trying to make those who serve diligently look like fools?”
“Hate looking at him now.”
“But let’s remember that active-duty service is not a prison sentence. It’s a place where physically and mentally stable people should go because they are given firearms.”
“Extending the number of days absent by five times sounds good.”
“Let’s extend his service by five times. Hope it actually happens.”
“Don’t even think about making a return to the industry.”
“He didn’t serve his duty properly, so he should serve it again.”

Read more about Dispatch‘s revelation of the idol’s “sick leave.”

Dispatch Reveals WINNER Mino’s Shirtless Party Pics, Questioning His “Sick Leave”