'Overseas Gambling Allegations' Kang Seongbeom: "How Were Jo Guk and Chu Mi-ae... Hard to Gauge"

Kang Seongbeom "No Truth to Overseas Gambling, No Drugs or Drunk Driving Either"

On the 21st, comedian Kang Seong-beom appeared on the YouTube channel 'Idonghyeong TV'/Photo by YouTube 'Idonghyeong TV' screenshot

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Comedian Kang Seong-beom (46), who is active as a pro-government political commentary YouTuber, expressed his feelings amid allegations of overseas gambling in the Philippines, saying, "I'm mentally exhausted from being hit from all sides."

On the 22nd, Kang Seong-beom posted a message titled "This is Kang Seong-beom" on a pro-government online community, stating, "As a broadcaster with 25 years of experience, I thought I had calluses strong enough to withstand attacks from the media or far-right groups, but that was not the case."

He added, "Lately, I can't even imagine how Jo Guk and Chu Mi-ae, who have been attacked hundreds of times more than me, must have felt. But I can overcome this. There are so many people cheering me on. I will keep moving forward step by step."

Earlier, on the 20th, Kim Yong-ho, a former entertainment reporter, raised allegations of Kang Seong-beom's overseas gambling on his YouTube broadcast. Kim revealed two tip-off emails and on-site photos claiming to have seen Kang at a casino in the Philippines, asserting that "Kang Seong-beom is a VIP at a Philippine casino."

On the 21st, Kang Seong-beom explained on TBS FM's "Anin Bamjung-e Joo Jin-woo Imnida" regarding the overseas gambling allegations, saying, "It is true that I went to the Philippines often, but I did not engage in illegal gambling."

He stated, "I went to the Philippines frequently. I have many acquaintances among Koreans there. They arranged many events for me. The condition was, 'The money is fine, but please take my family on a trip.' The complex resort is all casinos underneath. Filipino singers perform, and you can drink beer. Tourists are abundant, so I greeted them warmly. I took many photos together."

He continued, "Under my wife's watch there, if I won, I would order another beer. People come and go, and I didn't want to avoid or hide. I did not use drugs, nor did I drive under the influence. I even did a substitute driver commercial, so why would I drink and drive?" he raised his voice.

He also said, "Since attending the rally supporting former Minister of Justice Jo Guk, I have had no work and have only done YouTube since then. When I talk about current affairs, attacks and malicious comments increase. But my subscribers have also increased a lot. I believe in this and plan to continue this way."

Last October, Kang Seong-beom attended the "Jo Guk Support Rally" in Seocho-dong, Seoul, where he expressed support for former Minister Jo. At the rally, he said, "At first, when the topic of Minister Jo Guk came up, some people wondered if it had to be Jo Guk. But now, it has become so that it must be Jo Guk. Who would come forward to push for prosecutorial reform if they saw the Jo family being displayed in the marketplace despite the will and ability for reform?"