Police Launch Supplementary Investigation into Comedian Lee Jinho's Illegal Gambling Case

Prosecution Requests Supplementary Investigation

The police have launched a supplementary investigation into the illegal gambling case involving comedian Lee Jinho (39).

On April 29, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced that it had recently received a request for a supplementary investigation regarding Lee's gambling case from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. According to the Criminal Procedure Act, the prosecution may request a supplementary investigation if necessary before deciding whether to indict a case referred by the police.

It has been reported that the prosecution asked the police to investigate the gambling websites used by Lee and the accounts of those involved in the case. However, a police official stated, "It is true that we recently received a request for a supplementary investigation from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office," but added, "We cannot disclose which specific aspects the supplementary investigation request pertains to."

Previously, on April 15, the Gangnam Police Station referred Lee to the prosecution without detention on gambling charges. This came six months after a petition was filed through the National Sinmungo in October of last year, requesting an investigation into Lee's alleged gambling, prompting the police to begin their investigation.

In October of the same year, Lee revealed on Instagram, "In 2020, I started playing games on an illegal online gambling site by chance and ended up with debts I could not handle." It has been reported that BTS member Jimin and comedian Lee Soogeun lent money to Lee and suffered losses as a result.

Lee debuted in 2005 as a specially recruited comedian at SBS and became known through appearances on variety shows such as JTBC's "Knowing Bros" and tvN's "Comedy Big League."