Comedian Lee Jin-ho interviewed by police on gambling and fraud charges

Comedian Lee Jin-ho was investigated by police on Tuesday following his recent illegal gambling controversy.

Comedian Lee Jin-ho appears at the Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct on Tuesday on charges of compulsive gambling and fraud. [NEWS1]

Comedian Lee Jin-ho was investigated by police on Tuesday following his recent illegal gambling controversy.

The Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct said the same day that the 38-year-old is being summoned as a suspect on charges of compulsive gambling and fraud. The police will question Lee on how he fell into debt and determine whether he has a gambling disorder.

Lee appeared at the station at 1:55 p.m. and told the press that he was “sorry” and that he would be “cooperative with the investigation.”

Lee recently admitted to being in debt on Instagram with an apology note.

“I came across an illegal gambling website in 2020, and it ended up causing me severe financial hardship,” Lee said. “I was able to quit gambling thanks to advice from my acquaintances and the realization that I might have to give up on the career I love.”

He said that he is currently paying back his debt every month and will continue to do so until it is all paid off.

Media reports state that Lee had borrowed money from his celebrity acquaintances under the guise of paying for “parents’ hospital fees” or “taxes.” Jimin of BTS and comedian Lee Su-geun have each reportedly lent him at least $74,000.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]