K-pop boy band Winner’s Mino admits to skiving military duties

K-pop boy band Winner’s Mino may be required to re-enlist for his mandatory military duty, following allegations of negligent service during his term as a public service worker.

The 32-year-old rapper, whose real name is Song Min-ho, admitted to most of the charges, including leaving his workplace during work hours without permission.

The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) in South Korea confirmed on April 2 that it would issue an order for re-enlistment covering the period Song failed to serve, should the allegations be substantiated after an official investigation concludes.

“We are aware that the investigation is still ongoing and no criminal ruling has been finalised yet,” MMA deputy spokesperson Woo Tak-kyoun told The Korea Herald.

“However, given that Song admitted to being absent from his assigned post during working hours, our stance remains unchanged. If misconduct is confirmed, a re-enlistment order will follow for the unserved period.”

The police said on March 31 during a press briefing that it had summoned Song three times for questioning and had conducted searches and a mobile phone probe as part of its investigation.

The rapper served as a public service worker at a community welfare centre in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to Dec 2024, after being classified for Grade 4 supplementary service in his physical examination. Those classified under Grade 4 do not have to serve active duty.

Days prior to his discharge from the military in December 2024, South Korean tabloid Dispatch published an expose that alleged Song frequently left work without notice and took excessive sick leave. The MMA subsequently requested a police investigation into the claims.

While Song’s label YG Entertainment said his sick leave was taken for medical treatment and that all other leave was used in accordance with regulations, the controversy continued to escalate.

Concerns have also been raised about Song’s duty records, as the workplace used handwritten attendance logs, making it possible for the management to manipulate records at its discretion.

If found guilty of violating the Military Service Act, Song could be ordered to complete the remaining duration of his duty through re-enlistment, with his discharge status cancelled.

The other three members of Winner – Jinu, Hoony and Yoon – have all completed their military service. The group are known for numbers like Really Really (2017) and their last EP was released in 2022. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network