South Korea’s mandatory military service system, which requires nearly all able-bodied men to serve, is drawing renewed scrutiny as a K-pop singer faces sentencing over extended absences during alternative service.
Song Mino, a member of WINNER, a well-known K-pop group, admitted in court this week to violating the country’s Military Service Act after failing to report for duty for more than 100 days while assigned as a social service worker.
The case, heard at the Seoul Western District Court, centers on allegations that Song was absent without valid reason for a total of 102 days between March 2023 and December 2024 while working at a public facility in Seoul. Social service roles are a civilian alternative to active-duty military service, typically assigned for individuals who do not serve in combat units but remain bound by strict attendance and conduct rules.
Under South Korean law, leaving one’s assigned post for more than eight days without justification can carry a prison sentence of up to three years. Prosecutors have requested an 18-month prison term.
That threshold carries broader implications. A sentence of at least 18 months could result in reassignment to wartime labor status, effectively ending the remaining service obligation. A lighter sentence or a suspended term would require Song to return and complete the remainder of his service.
Before entering the courtroom, Song apologized and said he was reflecting on his actions. During the hearing, he admitted all charges and acknowledged failing to fulfill a duty required of all South Korean men. He cited psychological and health-related difficulties but said they should not serve as an excuse.
His legal team argued that he had been experiencing significant physical and mental distress at the time and asked the court to take those factors into account in sentencing.
The case highlights the strict enforcement framework surrounding military obligations in South Korea, where even alternative service is closely regulated. Cases involving public figures often draw heightened attention, reflecting broader sensitivities around fairness and equal treatment in a system that is widely viewed as a shared national obligation.
A final ruling is expected after related proceedings conclude in a separate case involving a supervising official accused of failing to properly oversee Song’s attendance.
