Comedian Lee Jin-ho Faces Prosecution Amidst Drunk Driving and Gambling Scandal
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A cloud of legal and personal tragedy continues to envelop South Korean comedian Lee Jin-ho, 39, as he now faces prosecution for drunk driving while already under scrutiny for alleged illegal gambling activities. The Yangpyeong Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced on Thursday, May 16th, that Lee was transferred to the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office’s Yeoju Branch to face charges related to violating the Road Traffic Act.
Drunk Driving Incident Details Emerge
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 24th, when Lee reportedly drove approximately 100 kilometers from Incheon City to his residence in Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, while intoxicated. Initial breathalyzer tests administered at the police station revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11%, a level that typically results in license cancellation. Subsequent, more precise blood tests conducted at the request of Lee Jin-ho confirmed an even higher reading of 0.12% on April 26th – a 0.01% increase from the initial measurement.
According to reports, Lee admitted to the charges during the police investigation but did not offer a specific explanation for his actions. His agency, SM C&C, released a statement acknowledging the situation, stating, “Lee Jin-ho is deeply reflecting on the fact that he believes it was his fault without making any excuses. The agency also fully acknowledges responsibility and will faithfully carry out the decision and take legal action.”
Mounting Legal Troubles and Personal Tragedy
This latest legal challenge comes as Lee Jin-ho was already facing repercussions for accusations of habitual illegal gambling, which surfaced in October of last year. Reports indicate that the scale of the gambling operation involved more than 2 billion won borrowed from loan companies and fellow celebrities. This led to his withdrawal from the popular JTBC program, ‘Knowing Bros,’ as he entered a period of self-reflection.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, recent reports detail the tragic death of Lee Jin-ho’s girlfriend in her apartment in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. Sources suggest the girlfriend had expressed feeling overwhelmed by the constant media attention surrounding her relationship with the comedian and his legal troubles. One entertainment media outlet reportedly identified her as the reporter who initially broke the story of Lee’s drunk driving incident, a claim police have declined to confirm, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the privacy of those involved.
A Career in Crisis
Lee Jin-ho began his career as a special comedian on the 7th SBS program in 2005, steadily building a reputation within the South Korean entertainment industry. However, the combined weight of these recent allegations and tragedies has brought his career to a critical juncture. The outcome of the prosecution regarding the drunk driving charges, coupled with the ongoing investigation into the gambling allegations, will undoubtedly shape the future of the comedian’s public life.
