[Sportschosun Kim Joon-seok] It has belatedly been confirmed that comedian Lee Jin-ho has been indicted on charges of illegal gambling and drunk driving. The news comes as he continues rehabilitation treatment after collapsing from a brain hemorrhage.
According to the legal community, the Yeoju Branch Office of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office indicted Lee Jin-ho without detention on May 29 on charges of habitual gambling and violating the Road Traffic Act for drunk driving.
Prosecutors believe Lee Jin-ho drove about 100 kilometers from Incheon to Yangpyeong County in Gyeonggi Province in the early morning of Sept. 24 last year after drinking.
His blood alcohol concentration at the time was measured at 0.11%, above the level for license revocation. A blood test conducted at his request reportedly showed 0.12% in an analysis by the National Forensic Service.
Lee Jin-ho is also accused of repeatedly gambling on an illegal online gambling site.
Police launched an investigation based on a gambling-related complaint filed through e-People and later handed the case over to prosecutors.
The indictment has drawn added attention because it became known while Lee Jin-ho is undergoing rehabilitation after collapsing from a brain hemorrhage.
Lee Jin-ho suddenly lost consciousness in April after showing symptoms of a brain hemorrhage and was rushed to the hospital.
It was reported that singer Kangin, who was on the phone with him at the time, noticed something was wrong and called 119.
Lee Jin-ho, who had been treated in the intensive care unit in critical condition, later regained consciousness and was moved to a general ward, where he continued recovery treatment.
He is currently receiving rehabilitation treatment at a university hospital in Seoul. Although some paralysis remains and he still has difficulty communicating and moving around, he is said to have improved to the point where he can hold light conversations and walk.
Meanwhile, Lee Jin-ho will face judicial review on the habitual gambling and drunk driving charges in court.
narusi@sportschosun.com
