On December 26, WINNER’s Song Min Ho (Mino) was officially booked as a suspect by the Mapo Police, following a referral from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) for an investigation into his military service. The investigation aims to determine if Song Min Ho violated the Military Service Act.
The controversy stems from allegations that Song Min Ho did not fulfill his duties properly while serving at the Mapo Resident Welfare Facility. Reports first surfaced on December 17, with Dispatch claiming that he would report to work but allegedly spend time lying down and playing games instead of performing his responsibilities. By December 23, further accusations from colleagues and staff fueled public scrutiny.
If the police find evidence of service misconduct, the MMA has indicated that Song Min Ho’s discharge could be reversed, requiring him to serve again for the period he failed to meet his duties. The MMA clarified that it would rely on the police investigation for a comprehensive and unbiased conclusion.
YG Entertainment, his agency, denied the allegations, stating that his sick leave was due to ongoing treatment pre-dating his enlistment and that all leave was in accordance with regulations. However, they refrained from commenting on specific details of his service.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon has since ordered a thorough investigation into the records of public service workers under the city’s jurisdiction. “Strict measures will be implemented in accordance with the findings of the investigation, and we may suggest enhancements to promote equity in military responsibilities, he stated.
Adding to the momentum, SBS’s Curious Story Y program announced plans to investigate similar cases involving entertainers’ military service, suggesting the controversy might expand across the industry.
Song Min Ho was discharged on December 23, but questions arose when it was revealed that he did not report to work on his final day. As investigations continue, the unfolding case highlights growing concerns about transparency and accountability in South Korea’s mandatory military service system.