On October 10, Korean police confirmed that comedian Lee Jin Ho’s girlfriend was found dead in her apartment. The discovery was made around 8.30am on October 5, when a friend reported the case to the Incheon Bupyeong Police Station. The deceased was identified as the partner of Lee Jin Ho, the same comedian arrested on September 24 for drunk driving.
Reports suggest that the woman was suffering from immense mental distress after Dispatch published an article naming her as the person who reported Lee Jin Ho’s DUI to authorities. The headline read: “Drunk driving attempt: Lee Jin Ho reported by his girlfriend.”
Although police confirmed they never revealed the informant’s identity, Dispatch’s report spread widely in Korean media, subjecting the woman to intense scrutiny. He reportedly sent multiple text messages expressing his emotional distress before his death.
The police stated that there were no signs of forced entry or foul play at the scene. The autopsy has not yet been confirmed. Investigators will look into whether his death was linked to the Lee Jin Ho DUI case.
Netizens outraged by Dispatch
Korean netizens reacted furiously, accusing Dispatch of effectively leading to the victim’s death. Many argued that the news outlet violated journalistic ethics by revealing the identity of a whistleblower instead of protecting their anonymity.
Comments included:
- “I knew something was wrong when I saw the Dispatch article. I was even afraid that he might be in danger, and now he has.”
- “This is essentially a murder – Dispatch needs to be investigated.”
- “The switchboard killed her.”
- “Why expose the person who reported it?”
- “There is no protection for whistleblowers in Korea.”
Lee Jin Ho’s controversial past
Born in 1986, Lee Jin Ho was once a well-known comedian. But his career collapsed after a series of scandals, including illegal online gambling and drink-driving.
In October 2024, reports revealed that he had been gambling illegally since 2020, accumulating huge debts and borrowing money from stars such as Jimin (BTS), Lee Soo Geun and Young Tak. Jimin reportedly loaned him 100 million KRW (~$75,000), which Lee never repaid despite promising to pay it back within a week. Jimin simply told him, “Pay me back within 10 years.”
Most recently, on September 24, Lee Jin Ho was arrested for driving 100km from Incheon to Yangpyeong while drunk. His blood alcohol level was 0.11 percent, high enough to require a one-year license suspension. He requested a blood test for further investigation.
Sources: Koreaboo, Dispatch, Korean police reports
