WINNER’s Mino Car Accident Surfaces as Legal Issues Cast Concerns on His Future Path

Recently, it was reported that Song Mino of Winner was involved in a minor car accident near Dapsimni Station in Yongdap-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The accident occurred on June 14, but was only recently reviewed, and Mino was a passenger in a taxi at the time.

While the accident itself is not a controversy, it leads to resurfacing discussion surrounding Mino, who is buried in controversies surrounding his alternative military service.

In particular, the Mapo Police Precinct in Seoul previously announced on May 23 that WINNER’s Song Mino (Winner) was sent to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office without detention for alleged negligence during his mandatory public service duties.

Between March and December 2023, Mino served as a public service worker at a facility in Mapo District, Seoul. During this period, he allegedly failed to report for work and left his post without authorization or justifiable reasons. The investigation, initiated after a referral from the Military Manpower Administration in December 2024, revealed that Mino admitted to most of the allegations, including leaving his workplace during duty hours.

Under Article 33 of South Korea’s Military Service Act, public service workers who neglect their duties without permissible reason must serve additional time, approximately five times the amount of days they spent neglecting their duties. If the individual neglected their duties for more than eight days, they may face a penalty as heavy as three years in prison.

Mino’s agency, YG Entertainment, previously stated that his medical absences were extensions of treatments he began receiving prior to his enlistment and that all other vacation days were received according to regulation.

This development has cast a shadow over Mino’s career, with fans expressing shock and concern over his future in the entertainment industry. Known for his contributions to WINNER’s success and his solo endeavors, Mino’s legal troubles have raised questions about the potential impact on his professional trajectory.

In the wake of this controversy, YG Entertainment announced that WINNER will proceed with a concert in July 2025 without Mino. The performance will feature the remaining members: Kang Seung-yoon, Kim Jin-woo, and Lee Seung-hoon.

As the legal process unfolds, the K-pop community awaits further updates on Mino’s case and its implications for his career and the broader industry.