Mino receives suspended prison term for military service absences

Military conscription in South Korea

South Korea obliges every able‑bodied male citizen to serve at least 18 months in the military. Those who are medically unfit can be assigned social‑service roles in community centres or other public institutions, but they are still required to report consistently and cannot abuse the arrangement.

The case of Mino

Winner’s 33‑year‑old member Song Min‑ho, better known on the stage as Mino, was found to have missed 102 days of duty over a 21‑month period while working as a social‑worker at a Seoul community centre. The court therefore convicted him under the Military Service Act and handed a one‑year prison sentence that is suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve jail time unless he commits another offence during the probationary period.

Earlier controversies and the wider industry impact

Celebrity exemptions have long provoked public debate. Psy was forced to enlist twice after a court found he had skipped duties while promoting his music, and Steve Yoo was banned from South Korea after revoking his citizenship to avoid conscription. Each case sparked national discussions about fairness and the responsibilities of public figures.

Reaction and future implications

Following the judgment, Mino expressed remorse, saying he was "sorry towards the people who gave me so much love". He has not yet stated whether he will re‑enlist once his suspended sentence expires, but the ruling underscores that entertainers cannot sidestep their mandatory duties without consequence.