Comedian Lee Jin-ho's suspended prison sentence has been confirmed.
On the 9th, according to the legal community, Lee Jin-ho and the prosecution did not file appeals by the appeal deadline of the 8th, so the sentence from the first trial was finalized.
On the 1st, Suwon District Court Yeoju Branch Criminal Division 1 presiding Judge Ahn Tae-yoon, Director General, said "all charges are admitted" and sentenced Lee Jin-ho to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension and 120 hours of community service.
Lee Jin-ho was indicted on charges of habitual gambling for allegedly sending about 870 million won over 664 transfers to gambling sites from May 11, 2023, to Oct. 14, 2024, converting it to cybercurrency and habitually gambling with it. He is also accused of driving about 70 km on Sept. 24, 2025, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.12%.
At the prosecution's closing arguments on the 14th of last month, the prosecution sought a two-year prison sentence for Lee Jin-ho, and Lee Jin-ho said, "I have lived each day regretting my mistake. I will not do wrong again."
On Oct. 14, 2024, Lee Jin-ho said in his own words that he had personally engaged with illegal gambling sites, incurred overwhelming debt, later came to his senses and stopped gambling, but had received financial help from many people, and he announced he would suspend all entertainment world activities.
After leaving the program he was appearing on, Lee Jin-ho said, "I have been steadily repaying money every month, and I intend to repay this debt entirely by my own means for the rest of my life. I promise to repay the remaining obligations no matter what happens. I will also cooperate sincerely with the police investigation and pay the price for my wrongdoing."
Recently he collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage and received treatment. His agency SM C&C said, "Mr. Lee Jin-ho was admitted to the hospital on the afternoon of April 1 with a sudden cerebral hemorrhage, and is currently regaining consciousness and focusing on treatment."
After being discharged, Lee Jin-ho reportedly still has some paralysis symptoms that make communication and movement uncomfortable, but his condition has improved to the point where light conversation and movement are possible.
Meanwhile, Lee Jin-ho debuted in 2005 as an SBS special recruitment comedian and was active on Comedy Big League and Men on a Mission, among others.
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