WINNER member Song Min Ho's first trial on charges of violating South Korea's Military Service Act has been postponed to Apr. 21 after the court granted his request to delay the original March 24 date.
The Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 10 accepted the application to reschedule on Mar. 5, pushing back the hearing by about one month. Song Min Ho and a service supervisor, identified only as Mr. A or Lee, were indicted without detention on Dec. 30, 2025, over allegations related to his time as a public service worker.
Prosecutors accuse the singer of repeatedly failing to report to work, leaving his assigned workplace without permission, and neglecting duties while serving at facilities in Seoul's Mapo District between March 2023 and December 2024, according to allkpop.
According to an indictment cited in local reports, he is suspected of being absent without leave for a total of 102 days, raising the possibility of a prison sentence of up to three years if the court finds him guilty.
The supervisory official is also accused of not properly managing or intervening despite allegedly knowing about Song's repeated absences. Prosecutors say they gathered evidence through mobile phone forensics, GPS data, commuting records, and CCTV footage during supplementary investigations.
Song Min Ho completed his alternative service and was officially discharged as a public service worker in December 2024, but questions soon emerged over whether he had properly fulfilled his obligations, the Korea JoongAng Daily reported.
The Military Manpower Administration requested a police probe, and he was formally booked in December 2024 on suspicion of violating the Military Service Act. Police later forwarded the case to prosecutors, saying he had largely acknowledged being absent and leaving his workplace during working hours.
If negligent service is legally confirmed, authorities have indicated they could revoke his discharge and order him to serve the uncompleted period, although re-enlistment as an active duty soldier is not possible under current law, as per soompi.
Public debate has intensified as fans and commentators compare his case to other idols who completed active duty without controversy, while the court prepares to open the postponed trial in April.
