She went to trial on December 25.
A South Korean court convicted the actress Han So Heeof his mother for operating illegal gambling establishments.
On December 25, Judge Kim Do Hyeong of the Wonju Branch of the Chuncheon District Court sentenced Han’s mother, Ms. Shin (55), to one year in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.
Shin is accused of operating seven illegal gambling facilities from January 2022 to August 2024 at five locations in Wonju, Gangwon, Ulsan and Gyeongju. According to the investigation, Shin set up PC game rooms for adults and often collaborated with card room operators to allow customers to participate in illegal online gambling games such as baccarat.
Judge Kim’s ruling highlighted the significant financial gains made by Shin from these illegal operations, but also took into account the lack of previous similar convictions in issuing the sentence. The Prosecutor’s Office appealed the sentence, calling it too lenient.
Shin has been in the news several times in the past for similar controversies. In 2020, she was accused of embezzling funds from private savings groups, leading Han So Hee to be dragged into the controversy. This year, in September, when Shin was arrested on charges of running gambling dens, Han’s agency released a statement stressing that the actress had nothing to do with her ex’s alleged crimes mother.
