'Illegal Gambling Venue Operation Charge' Kim Hyung-in Partially Denies Indictment Facts... "Jeonju Is Separate"

At the First Trial on the 21st: "I Gambled, but Did Not Open a Gambling Den"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Hyung-in, a former SBS public comedian, and fellow comedian Choi Jae-wook, who were indicted on charges of operating an illegal gambling site, partially denied the charges at their first trial.

At the first hearing held on the 21st under the presiding of Judge Park Sung-gyu of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 4, their lawyers stated, "Mr. Kim admits to the gambling crime but denies the charge of establishing the gambling site," and "Mr. Choi admits to establishing the gambling site but claims he conspired with someone other than Mr. Kim."

They were indicted on charges of opening an illegal gambling site in an officetel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, between late January and late February 2018 and collecting commissions. Mr. Kim is also accused of directly participating in gambling.

However, they maintain that there was a separate financier (jeonju, 錢主) for the illegal gambling site. Mr. A, identified as the financier, is reportedly under investigation by the prosecution for the charge of establishing the gambling site. Previously, Mr. Kim filed a police complaint against Mr. A for extortion, claiming "A has long threatened him by implicating him as a participant in establishing the gambling site."

The lawyers said, "Mr. Kim was a roommate living with Mr. Choi and was unintentionally present during the process of establishing the gambling site, but he clearly expressed his intention not to participate before the gambling business was opened and reclaimed the money he lent to Mr. Choi."

The lawyers requested the court to conduct witness examination against Mr. A after the decision on whether to indict Mr. A is made.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.