Broadcaster Cho Sae-ho, who suspended activities amid controversy, has been given a path to return as the matter reaches a new phase. By contrast, Park Narae drew further suspicion after a new mortgage was registered on her home at that timing.
Cho Sae-ho is currently accused of receiving expensive gifts, promoting a franchise operated by a member of an organized crime group, and drinking with a key figure of the region's largest violent organization in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang. In response, Cho Sae-ho said, "The allegations raised are completely untrue. I will take this incident as an opportunity for deep reflection and strive to return with a more mature appearance," and announced he would withdraw from all broadcasts he was appearing on and suspend activities.
Meanwhile, the allegation of Cho Sae-ho's involvement with organized crime reached a new phase. That is because the video in question featured Kim Ju-ho, the representative of the restaurant business at the center of the controversy, appearing in person to explain the allegations. Kim Ju-ho is a 10-year comedian who appeared on Comedy Big League and Time Expedition, and an eight-year self-employed business owner, and he denied the recently raised allegations of ties to organized crime and illegal money laundering.
Kim Ju-ho explained that the person shown in the photo he presented as "evidence that Cho Sae-ho socialized with organized crime" was actually the high school-aged son of a franchise owner who worked at the restaurant, not a gangster. He said, "Because the photo was released in the video, the person has been misunderstood by those around him asking, 'Were you a gangster?,' and is currently receiving psychiatric treatment," and added that photos taken when he was not present became the basis for the allegation of ties to organized crime.
Regarding the shopping mall identified as the "country's largest illegal money laundering site," he protested, "It is essentially not actively operated and does not even generate 100,000 won in monthly sales." He said, "With key money of more than 300 million won, a deposit of 100 million won, and about 15 million won in monthly rent, the restaurant I currently operate has seen sales plummet and is running at a loss as it has been featured in the news. Being labeled as a gangster-run restaurant has led to talk of boycotts, and I am under severe stress worrying that even my family might be misunderstood."
Kim Ju-ho appealed, "I never received even a single 10-won investment, let alone gangster funds." The on-site reporter from the interview program 'God of Business' sharply raised his voice, saying, "Irresponsible exposures that destroy diligent small business owners must stop."
While Cho Sae-ho entered a new phase with the appearance of a close associate, suspicions surrounding Park Narae deepened. On the 22nd, it was reported that her agency newly registered a mortgage on the registration copy for Park Narae's Itaewon residence in Seoul. Park Narae's home already had an 1.1 billion won mortgage from Hana Bank registered on July 13, 2021, which is understood to be a conventional mortgage loan.
However, on the 3rd, Enpark, known as Park Narae's one-person agency, newly registered a mortgage with a maximum secured claim of 4.97 billion won. The reason for registration was recorded as a setting contract, unrelated to forced execution or seizure. Some interpreted the timing of the large mortgage registration, which coincided with Park Narae suspending activities amid various allegations, as a measure for the agency's corporate financing purposes or to settle financial relationships between the individual and the corporation.
Park Narae is currently accused of abusing her power over a manager and of receiving illegal medical procedures referred to as the 'injection auntie.' In response, Park Narae said, "I have decided to suspend broadcast activities until everything is resolved cleanly," and added, "There are matters among the current allegations whose facts need to be calmly verified, and legal procedures are underway. I will not make additional public comments or explanations during that process. I judge that this issue should be objectively verified through official procedures, not as a matter of personal feelings or relationships."
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