Song Minho of the group WINNER has been indicted by the prosecution on charges of unauthorized absence for a total of 102 days while serving as a social service agent. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office stated in the indictment that Song Minho left his duties without justifiable reasons while working at the facility management corporation and community convenience facilities in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Song Minho served as a social service agent from March 24, 2023, to December 23, 2024.

Social service agents serve excluding weekends and public holidays, and Song Minho's actual working days are estimated to be about 430 days. According to the prosecution's claim, Song Minho was absent without authorization for about 25% of his total service period. Article 89-2 of the Military Service Act stipulates that if a person leaves service without justifiable reasons for more than eight days, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years.

According to the indictment, Song Minho recorded only one day of absence per day from March to May 2023, the early period of his service, but it was confirmed that he was absent without authorization for 19 days in July 2024, as his discharge date approached. In particular, it was found that he was absent for 14 days in November 2024.

The prosecution also detected circumstances suggesting that A, the person in charge of managing Song Minho's service, either condoned or conspired with these unauthorized absences. A is accused of approving Song Minho's notifications of not coming to work due to oversleeping or fatigue and preparing and approving related documents as if Song Minho had reported to work normally. Additionally, A is suspected of arbitrarily handling Song Minho's remaining annual leave and sick leave.

The prosecution included in the indictment that on May 29, 2023, A sent a message to Song Minho saying, "I have training tomorrow, so I won't be coming to work; see you on May 31," which led to Song Minho not coming to work on May 30. This date coincides with the time when it was revealed that Song Minho attended his younger sister's wedding held in San Francisco, USA.

This case was transferred from the police last May, and additional charges were revealed through supplementary investigations by the prosecution. The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office stated that they secured objective evidence through mobile phone forensics and GPS records. During the investigation, additional unauthorized absences beyond the crimes transferred by the police were confirmed.

Song Minho and A were indicted without detention on charges of violating the Military Service Act. It is reported that Song Minho generally admitted to the unauthorized absences during the police investigation stage. However, his agency YG Entertainment stated at the time the allegations were raised that "the use of sick leave was a continuation of treatment that began before the service, and other leaves were also used according to relevant regulations."

The first trial for this case is scheduled for April 21. The original trial date was set for March 24 but was rescheduled after Song Minho's side requested a change. The hearing will be held at the Seoul Western District Court.