Winner's Song Min-ho admits negligent military service. MMA hints high possibility of his reenlistment

Korea Herald

02-04-2025

Song Min-ho, a member of boy group Winner under YG Entertainment, may be required to reenlist for his mandatory military duty, following allegations of negligent service during his term as a public service worker.
The rapper admitted to most of the charges, including leaving his workplace during work hours without permission.
The Military Manpower Administration confirmed Wednesday that it would issue an order for reenlistment covering the period Song failed to serve, should the allegations be substantiated.
'We are aware that the investigation is still ongoing and no criminal ruling has been finalized 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 reenlistment order will follow for the unserved period.'
The police revealed Monday during a regular press briefing that it had summoned Song three times for questioning and had conducted searches and a probe via phone as part of its investigation.
'Song mostly admitted to being absent from his workplace without permission during working hours,' a police official said.
The rapper served as a public service worker at a community welfare center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024, after being classified as grade 4 supplementary service in his physical examination.
However, during his service, allegations emerged that Song frequently left work without notice, took excessive sick leave, and was generally absent from his duties. The MMA subsequently requested a police investigation into the claims.
While YG Entertainment said that Song's sick leave was taken for medical treatment and that all other leave was used in accordance with regulations, the controversy escalated as new testimonies surfaced.
Concerns have also been raised about Song's duty records, as the workplace used handwritten attendance logs, making it possible for management to manipulate records at their discretion.
If found guilty of violating the Military Service Act, Song could be ordered to complete the remaining duration of his duty through reenlistment, with his discharge status canceled.