February 19, 2019 12:48
Shoo of '90s girl band SES has been slapped with a two-year suspended sentence and 80 hours of community service for habitual gambling.
The Seoul Eastern District Court made the ruling on Monday.
Shoo borrowed W350 million from one friend and W250 million from another in a casino in a hotel in Seoul in June last year but failed to repay them (US$1=W1,127).
Prosecutors did not charge her with fraud since lending money in casinos here is also illegal, but as a habitual gambler who bet W790 million on 26 occasions abroad including Hong Kong and Macau from Aug. 2016 to May 2018.
Shoo admitted the gambling charges, and the prosecutors recommended a one-year jail term.
In her final statement before the ruling, Shoo said, "I learned a lot from my mistakes, and I am deeply repentant and will continue to feel remorse. I fully admit responsibility for my wrongdoing and accept the punishment. I am very sorry to cause such trouble."
Korea is one of the few countries that punish citizens who gamble in other countries where a pastime in casinos is perfectly legal.
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com