In the Broadcasting Industry, Lee Jin-ho Faces Steps Toward Expulsion
Police State "Petition Received, Investigation Proceeding According to Procedures"
Comedian Lee Jin-ho, who is under police investigation for illegal gambling, has also been confirmed to be under investigation for allegations of 'loan fraud.' On the 28th, Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters, stated at a regular press briefing that a petition had been received accusing Lee Jin-ho of "gambling and loan fraud against acquaintances." Woo also explained, "The Gangnam Police Station has conducted a suspect investigation on Lee Jin-ho," and added, "The investigation will proceed according to procedures."
Comedian Lee Jin-ho, who confessed to illegal internet gambling, is appearing at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the afternoon of the 22nd for related investigations. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Loan fraud is a crime that occurs when a debtor borrows money by deceiving the creditor with lies, hiding the fact that they have no intention or ability to repay the debt. Lee Jin-ho is known to have borrowed large sums, sometimes hundreds of millions of won, from fellow entertainers and broadcasting industry figures to fund illegal online gambling. Among those who lent money were senior comedian Lee Soo-geun, trot singer Youngtak, and BTS member Jimin. In particular, Jimin is reported to have lent 100 million won.
According to previous reports, Lee Jin-ho borrowed money from fellow entertainers by giving reasons such as "a family member is ill" or "I need help with tax issues." One media outlet reported that Lee Jin-ho borrowed a total of 2.3 billion won from fellow entertainers and loan companies.
Earlier, on the 14th, Lee Jin-ho confessed on his Instagram that he had incurred a huge debt due to illegal gambling. He stated, "In 2020, by chance, I started playing games on an illegal internet gambling site and ended up with an unmanageable debt," and added, "I am steadily repaying the money every month, and I intend to repay this debt entirely with my own strength by the time I die."
However, following his confession and the emerging circumstances, he stepped down from the JTBC show 'Knowing Bros,' where he was a regular cast member, marking the beginning of his exit from the broadcasting industry. Additionally, a complaint requesting an investigation into Lee Jin-ho's gambling and fraud allegations was filed with the National Police Agency's online petition system, prompting the police to start an investigation. Subsequently, on the 22nd, Lee Jin-ho appeared at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul, bowed his head, and said, "I am sorry. I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation."
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