Mino (33), a member of the group WINNER who was put on trial on charges of unauthorized absence from his workplace for 102 days while serving as a social service worker, has received a suspended prison sentence in his first trial.

Judge Sung Jun-kyu of Criminal Division 10 at the Seoul Western District Court sentenced Mino, who was indicted for violating the Military Service Act, to one year in prison suspended for two years on October 1. Lee, the person in charge of service management at the time who was indicted alongside him, was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for two years.

Mino is accused of leaving his workplace without authorization for 102 days while serving as a social service worker at a facility in Mapo-gu, Seoul, from March 2023 to December 2024.

The court stated, "Military service is a duty for the nation's existence and security, and must be fulfilled faithfully. Social service workers cannot be an exception," adding, "There is a high level of social interest regarding the fulfillment of military service by those in the broadcasting industry."

The court deemed that the guilt of both individuals is not light, noting that Mino had been absent from service for a long period and Lee, as the service management manager, had shirked his management duties and actively participated in the crime by processing service conditions differently from reality. In particular, the court judged that Lee actively contributed to the dereliction of duty by ignoring Mino's absences and signing documents such as attendance logs to make it look as though he had gone to work.

However, favorable circumstances were taken into consideration, including the fact that Mino admitted to all charges and is reflecting on his actions, that his health condition at the time appeared to have affected his service, and that he has pledged to fulfill his obligations for the remaining service period.

Ahead of the sentencing on October 1, Mino entered the court with a heavy expression and shared his feelings with reporters. He said, "I have reflected a great deal. I have regretted it every single day and felt diminished, and I have nothing to say other than that I am sorry to those who have given me so much love."

Meanwhile, according to SPOTV News, once the ruling is finalized, Mino is expected to serve additional military service equal to the number of days he was absent from service. According to an explanation from the Military Manpower Administration, it is likely that he will have to serve an additional 102 days, matching the period of unauthorized absence specified by the prosecution in the indictment. The prosecution estimates that Mino was absent without leave for 102 days out of a total of approximately 430 working days.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon, SBS Entertainment News)