Allegations of 'gang involvement' and 'illegal money laundering' surrounding broadcaster Cho Sae-ho have entered a new phase. That is because the person involved directly appeared to actively explain the suspicions raised by a YouTube channel and emphasized that Cho Sae-ho was not involved.
On the 21st, the YouTube channel "Jangsa's God" released a video titled 'I visited in person the gangster company that was ruined by illegal money laundering.' The video featured Kim Ju-ho, the CEO of the foodservice business at the center of the controversy. 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 refuted the recently raised allegations of gang involvement and illegal money laundering.
▲ Photo with Cho Sae-ho and 'gangsters'? a high school part-timer
The most shocking twist was the truth of the photo presented as "evidence that Cho Sae-ho associated with gangsters." Kim Ju-ho said, "The person in the photo that the YouTube channel claimed to have exclusively obtained is not a gangster but the high school son (part-timer) of the franchise owner who was working at our store at the time."
Kim said, "That part-timer is the son of the Dangjin branch owner; he came to the store to learn work and wanted to experience a startup fair. They questioned why such an advertisement photo taken with Cho Sae-ho was taken," and lamented, "Because the photo was exposed in the video, people around him misunderstood and asked, 'Were you a gangster?' and he is currently receiving psychiatric treatment," expressing his grievance. He also said that photos taken when he was not present became the basis for the gang involvement allegations.
▲ "The country's largest money laundering shopping mall? monthly sales are less than 100,000 won"
The reality of the shopping mall identified as the "country's largest illegal money laundering site" was also revealed. Kim Ju-ho said, "The shopping mall that the YouTube channel claimed was a money laundering site is in fact not actively operated and does not even generate 100,000 won in monthly sales," and asked, "What huge money laundering could be done with 100,000 won?"
Kim added, "The current restaurant, which operates with a key money of more than 300 million won, a deposit of 100 million won and a monthly rent of about 15 million won, has seen sales plunge and is running a deficit after being mentioned in the news. It has been labeled as a gangster restaurant, talk of boycotts has emerged, and the stress is severe because even my family may be misunderstood."
▲ Cho Sae-ho hurt, small business owner hurt too
Kim Ju-ho spoke about his connection with Cho Sae-ho, "We weren't just somewhat close; we met as university seniors and juniors and lived together for about eight years. He is close enough to know Nam Chang-hee, as well as Cho Sae-ho's family, maternal uncle and nephews. I think suspicion grew because I was excluded from the gang involvement case," and added, "I feel so sorry to Cho Sae-ho that I cannot even contact him now. If he did not stop his broadcasting activities out of a sense of responsibility because he has a weighty occupation and did not take photos at our restaurant to help me, that might be why he halted them," conveying his remorse.
Kim Ju-ho said the controversy has severely damaged sales and caused suffering to his family. He protested, "Far from gangster money, I have never received even a single 10-won investment," and Eunyeonjang likewise, after checking the shop's food taste, hygiene conditions and ledgers, raised its voice, saying, "Irresponsible exposes that kill diligent small business owners must stop."
Meanwhile, Cho Sae-ho has been accused of accepting expensive gifts, promoting a franchise operated by a member of an organized crime group, and drinking with a key member of the largest violent organization in Geochang County, Gyeongnam. The allegations were raised through an SNS account that receives tips about various illegal criminals, and photos of Cho Sae-ho taken with the individuals in question were released, expanding the suspicions. In response, Cho Sae-ho said the allegations were completely untrue and added that he would deeply reflect on the matter and try to return in a more mature form, and he withdrew from all broadcasts he was appearing on and suspended activities.
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