Mother of famous actress arrested for 12 illegal gambling houses

The mother of a well-known South Korean actress and model has been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal business. The woman is accused of managing 12 gambling establishments in the Ulsan and Wonju regions and may have begun her illicit activities as early as 2021, overseeing the operations of these venues.

Han Sohee's agency has stated that the actress was completely unaware of her mother's alleged criminal actions, calling the situation a "very personal matter." They expressed that Sohee is "devastated" to learn about the allegations through the media. "We want to emphasise that this incident is related to her mother and not the actress," the representatives clarified.

The media reports do not disclose the types of games offered at the illegal gambling houses or the financial amounts involved. Nevertheless, South Korea imposes strict gambling laws. Gambling and betting are mostly prohibited for citizens, with limited exceptions for government-sanctioned games, while most gambling establishments only permit foreigners to participate.

South Koreans caught gambling illegally face severe consequences, which can include up to five years in prison and/or fines reaching 30 million won (approximately $22,500). Repeat offenders may incur even more stringent penalties or longer prison sentences.