Korean actress Han So-hee (who is best known for the K-drama The World of the Married) denied any involvement in her mother’s actions.
The mother of Korean actress Han So-hee has been given a suspended prison sentence for operating multiple illegal gambling venues, according to multiple media outlets.
A report by Hanbok Ilbo, translated by The Korean Times, said the actress' mother, aged 55, will face a year of imprisonment with a two-year suspension.
Judge Kim Do-hyung of the Chuncheon District Court's Wonju Branch also sentenced her to 120 hours of community service, for charges related to the establishment of gambling venues.
In a statement, the actress' agency clarified that the matter concerned the personal actions of the actress's mother and was in no way related to the actress herself. They offered apologies to those affected.
"This case is entirely unrelated to the actress and stems from her mother’s personal actions. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this private matter," they said.
Han's mother allegedly coordinated with an illegal gambling site via Telegram, securing access and management codes to create seven betting locations. Her profit model involved collecting commissions based on total bets and user losses.
She was accused of utilizing "front men" at adult PC game centers through profit-sharing agreements or collaborated with existing operators to enable illegal online gambling, including baccarat. Authorities uncovered five venues in Wonju, along with single locations in Ulsan and Gyeongju.
“The defendant conspired with multiple game room operators to create gambling venues,” Judge Kim said, as reported by Chosun Ilbo, adding, “Given the operational structure of the game rooms, it appears that the defendant's acquired profits are also considerable.”
The court highlighted her continued involvement in gambling operations despite a 5 million won fine in 2023 for similar activities, suggesting substantial profits based on the operational structure and profit-sharing.
While prosecutors requested an 18-month prison sentence, she received a suspended sentence and was subsequently released. Prosecutors have appealed this decision, arguing it was too lenient. The appeals trial will be held at the Chuncheon District Court.
Han So-hee is a prominent South Korean actress who rose to fame with her breakout role in The World of the Married (2020) and further solidified her status with leading roles in dramas like Nevertheless (2021) and My Name (2021). She initially pursued modeling before transitioning to acting, quickly becoming a recognized figure in the Korean entertainment industry.
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