SOURCE: "늦잠자서 안 가요" 송민호, 102일 무단결근…재입대 대신 '최대 징역 3년'
Song Mino, a member of the group WINNER, has been sent to trial for being absent without leave for a total of 102 days while serving as a public service worker, drawing attention to the potential level of punishment.
On the 13th, according to legal sources, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office stated in the indictment that while working as a public service worker, Song Mino was absent for a total of 102 days without valid reason.
The total service period for a public service worker is 1 year and 9 months, with approximately 430 working days. If the prosecution's claims are true, it means that Song Mino was absent for about 1/4 of his total service days. In particular, the data showed that the number of his absences increased sharply as his discharge date got closer.
From March to May 2023, Song Mino was absent for only one day. However, in July 2024, he was absent for 19 days. In November 2024, just one month before his discharge, the investigators found that he was absent for 14 days without permission.
Prosecutors believe that whenever Song Mino said he wouldn't come to work because he 'overslept' or was 'tired,' the supervisor in charge, identified as Mr. A, approved the absences and processed false documents to make it look like he had actually come to work. The supervisor has also been charged with a crime.
Under the Military Service Act, if a public service worked is absent for eight or more days without valid reason, they can be sentenced up to 3 years in prison. It is also possible to receive an extension of service, which means serving five extra days for every one day missed.
However, legal experts are saying it is unlikely for Song Mino to 're-enlist.' Laywer Kim Kangho, who appeared on YTN's radio program 'Lawyer Lee Wonhwa's Case X File,' explained, "Since Song Mino has already been officially discharged from his service, it is legally impossible to convert him to active-duty soldier."
In the past, PSY had to serve again as an active-duty soldier after his status as an industrial technical personnel was revoked. However, experts say that case involved a different institutional structure. Unlike industrial technical personnel, there is no legal basis to change the type of military service for public service workers.
Previously, Song Mino's side stated, "The sick leave was just an extension of medical treatment he had been receiving before his service. Other leave days were also used according to the rules." Song Mino's first trial is scheduled to be held on April 21.
Depending on the result of his trial, the social standards for how celebrities complete their military service are expected to come under scrutiny once again.
