Song Min-ho (Mino), 33, of the group Winner, appeared at the first trial over allegations of poor performance during his social service duty.

At 10 a.m. on the 21st, the first hearing for Song Min-ho and a service manager surnamed Lee, both accused of violating the Military Service Act, was held before Judge Seong Jun-gyu of Criminal Single Judge Division 10 at Seoul Western District Court.

Song Min-ho, who appeared at the courthouse in a black suit, bowed before reporters and said, “I am sorry for disappointing so many people.” He added, “I am reflecting on my actions.”

Song Min-ho served as a Social Service Agent from March 2023 to December 2024. However, he came under suspicion of poor service after allegedly failing to work properly, citing sick leave, annual leave and hospitalization about a week before his discharge.

Police received a request for an investigation from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) in December 2024, booked Song Min-ho, and sent the case to prosecutors in May 2025. The Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Song Min-ho and the service manager surnamed Lee without detention on Dec. 30 that year on charges of violating the Military Service Act.

The indictment reportedly stated that Song Min-ho, while working as a Social Service Agent at a Facilities Management Corporation and a public convenience facility in Mapo District, was absent without authorization for a total of 102 days and left his post without justifiable reason.

That accounts for about one-quarter of his actual attendance period of roughly 430 days. Article 89-2 of the current Military Service Act stipulates that anyone who leaves service for eight days or more without justifiable reason shall be punished by up to three years in prison.

Meanwhile, Song Min-ho debuted with Winner in 2014 and rose to popularity with a string of hits, including “Empty,” “Really Really” and “Everyday.”