Prosecutors have revealed in an indictment that Song Min-ho, a member of the group WINNER, allegedly failed to perform his duties as a social service worker, accumulating a total of 102 days of unauthorized absence.
According to the JoongAng Ilbo, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office stated on February 12 that “Song Min-ho was absent without permission for a total of 102 days while serving as a social service worker at the Mapo District Facility Management Corporation and Resident Convenience Facility, leaving his duties without a valid reason.”
Social service workers, who do not work on weekends or public holidays, serve for a total of one year and nine months, amounting to approximately 430 actual working days. Prosecutors allege that Song Min-ho was absent for nearly one-quarter of that period without leave.
Under the Military Service Act (Article 89-2), absences of more than eight days without a valid reason can result in imprisonment of up to three years.
The indictment states that Song Min-ho’s service period was from March 24, 2023, to December 23, 2024. According to the crime log prepared by prosecutors, only one day of absence was recorded in March 2023, but by November 2024, a month before discharge, the absences increased to 14 days.
Prosecutors also contend that Administrator A was involved in Song Min-ho’s absence from duty. A was responsible for managing the attendance and duties of social service workers. The indictment further states that “when Song Min-ho claimed he would not attend work due to oversleeping or fatigue, A allowed it and falsely documented that Song Min-ho had attended, approving the documentation. In the process, A arbitrarily processed Song Min-ho’s remaining leave and sick leave, conspiring in the misconduct.”
The first trial for Song Min-ho, accused of violating the Military Service Act, and Administrator A, the head of the Mapo Resident Convenience Facility, is set for April 21 at 10 a.m. at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 10. The first hearing was initially scheduled for March 24 but was postponed upon Song Min-ho’s request, which the court accepted.
