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Shin Jung-hwan |
Detained for gambling debt or sick?
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Singer and entertainer Shin Jung-hwan, 35, known for his habitual gambling, might have been trapped by his bad habit again, but he has denied he has been involved in any form of betting.
The popular TV personality, who was absent for several days from recording scenes for TV programs, was reportedly detained in Cebu, Philippines, because of money he owes to a private loan shark.
According to reports, Shin borrowed the money and handed over his passport as collateral. However, he lost all the money while gambling and could not get his passport back.
If he actually did use the passport as collateral, he violated the Passport Act and cannot apply for a new travel document at the Korean consulate there.
However, Shin has denied the allegations through the Korean Community Association in Philippines.
"We met Shin in person and he possessed his own passport. He caught dengue fever and was admitted to a local hospital," a representative of the community said. "He said he would return to Korea sometime this weekend."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also confirmed Shin’s hospitalization, but did not comment on the gambling issue as it is personal affair.
Shin left for the Philippines on Aug. 26 and cut off communication with his agency for a while. He did not appear for the scheduled filming of KBS' "Star Golden Bell" Monday and news of his absence surfaced. Shin also missed MBC's "Flower Bouquet" Tuesday.
The producers of “Star Golden Bell” said they will fire Shin. Other broadcasting stations will also take measures against him if it is confirmed that he has been gambling overseas.
This is not the first time that the singer-entertainer has become embroiled in gambling-related troubles.
Shin received a 7-million-won fine for gambling at a private casino in 2005 and was banned from broadcasting, but returned to the entertainment business after some “self-reflection.”
He was also sued for fraud in June for not paying back 180 million won to a friend who lent him money at Kangwon Land, the only casino open to domestic citizens in Korea. He later reached an agreement with the plaintiff.
Other entertainers who have been sanctioned for problematic gambling overseas include comedian Hwang Ki-soon, Kim Jun-ho and singer Lee Sung-jin, who were all indicted on illegal gambling and fraud charges.
도박으로 인한 억류? 아니면 입원으로 인한 지연?
상습적인 도박으로 무리를 빚어온 연예인 신정환(35)씨가 또 다시 도박으로 인한 해외억류로 의심을 받고 있는 가운데 본인은 사실이 아니라며 부인하고 있다.
보도에 따르면 신씨가 돈을 빌리는 과정에서 담보로 여권을 건넸으며 도박으로 인해 돈을 모두 잃은 후 여권을 돌려 받지 못하고 있는 상태이다.
만약 신씨가 담보로 그의 여권을 건넸다면 이는 여권법을 어긴 것이기 때문에 현지 한국영사관에서 여행증명서를 발급받기는 어렵게 된다.
신씨는 도박과 관련한 보도가 사실이 아님을 필리핀 한인회를 통해 전했다. 한인회 대표는 현재 신씨는 그의 여권을 소지하고 있다고 말하며 그가 뎅기열에 걸려 병원에 입원해 있다고 밝혔다. 신씨는 이번 주쯤 한국에 돌아올 예정이다.
외교통상부는 신씨의 입원을 확인하였으나 도박과 관련한 이슈는 개인의 문제라며 언급을 피했다.
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무디스, 스페인·伊·포르투갈 신용등급 강등
