As TV personality Cho Sae-ho became embroiled in rumors of ties with a crime syndicate, his agency issued an official statement calling the claims "groundless" and moved to contain the fallout. It also signaled legal action.
According to the entertainment industry on Dec. 5, Cho Sae-ho's agency A2Z Entertainment said the previous day regarding allegations raised online recently that "they are not true at all," adding, "the person mentioned is simply an acquaintance."
Earlier, a social media (SNS) account posted photos along with a claim that Cho Sae-ho maintained a friendship with Mr. A, identified as a key figure in a regional crime syndicate, and exchanged expensive gifts.
The photos included images of Cho Sae-ho taken in front of a franchise restaurant effectively owned by Mr. A, and of Cho appearing friendly with Mr. A.
The account operator wrote, "Using the excuse of being acquaintances to promote a franchise run by a crime syndicate, hanging out and drinking with the power broker Mr. A, and receiving expensive gifts—can a national comedian do that?"
He amplified the controversy by further claiming that Mr. A is both the power broker of the largest violent gang in the Geochang area and a figure implicated in the nation's largest illegal money laundering.
Cho Sae-ho debuted in 2001 as a sixth-class open recruitment comedian at SBS and is now actively appearing as a regular on various entertainment shows. In Oct. last year, he married a non-celebrity nine years his junior.
Meanwhile, the agency said it is "actively reviewing criminal and civil legal action against the tipster for criminal acts including defamation by stating false facts and interference with business."