Korean entertainer sentenced to prison for his Cebu gambling caper

Korean entertainer sentenced to prison for his Cebu gambling caper
By JONATHAN M. HICAP

MANILA, Philippines – A Korean court convicted entertainer Shin Jung Hwan on Friday for gambling in Cebu, Philippines last year and sentenced him to eight months in prison. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the decision in the morning of June 3, with Shin present in the courtroom.

It was a victory for prosecutors who previously urged the court to send Shin to jail. The Korean entertainer was charged with habitual gambling and violation of Korea’s Foreign Exchange Control Act and Passport Act. In sentencing 36-year-old Shin, the judge also considered his past gambling records.

Shin was fined five million won in 2003 and seven million won in 2005 for gambling. He was sued last year for failing to pay gambling debts amounting to 170 million won (P6.8 million).

Shin’s case stemmed from his visit to Cebu last year to gamble. For several days in August and September, Shin spent 210.5 million won (P8.42 million) playing baccarat at a hotel casino in Cebu. Of the total money he spent, he used 10.5 million won (about P420,000) of his own money and then borrowed 200 million won (P8 million) from a casino lender.

Koreans are prohibited by law to gamble in a casino in their country or overseas, with violators meted with imprisonment and fines. Koreans can only play at Kangwon Land in Gangwon Province, the only casino in South Korea that allows citizens to gamble.

Shin was thrust into the spotlight last year when he failed to return to South Korea to tape his shows. It turned out that he got stuck in Cebu for failing to pay his gambling debts and even allegedly used his passport as collateral.

After leaving Cebu, Shin went to Hong Kong, Macau, Nepal and Japan to evade investigation by Korean police and did not return to South Korea for five months.

The court took note that Shin eluded Korean laws when he hid in different countries starting September before coming back to Korea last January 19. He was arrested at the airport upon his arrival. Shin was eventually indicted last April 26 for habitual gambling and other charges.

In sentencing Shin to eight months in prison, the judge also considered the entertainer’s current medical condition and age. Shin is walking on crutches after undergoing leg surgery in February, following his return to Korea.

During his trial last May 18, Shin admitted to all the charges pertaining to habitual gambling but pleaded for leniency.

After the sentence was announced, Shin said he is deeply sorry for his actions