South Korea’s acting president faces his own impeachment threat as political crisis grows
By Park Chan-kyong
South Korea’s opposition filed an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday after he refused to appoint Constitutional Court justices needed to rule on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment.
The move escalates the country’s political uncertainties following Yoon’s failed martial law bid on December 3.
Yoon, who was impeached on December 14 over the debacle, has been suspended from office pending a decision by the Constitutional Court, leaving Han, who is also the country’s prime minster, to step in as acting president under South Korea’s constitutional line of succession.
The Constitutional Court currently operates with only six of its nine justices due to the retirement of three in October, raising questions about whether its eventual decision on the impeachment will be considered legally valid and widely accepted.
Acting president Han announced he would “shelve” the appointment of new justices, urging rival parties to first agree on whether an interim leader has the authority to appoint Constitutional Court justices – a demand widely considered impractical.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DKP) responded furiously, introducing a motion to impeach Han himself.
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By Park Chan-kyong
South Korea’s opposition filed an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday after he refused to appoint Constitutional Court justices needed to rule on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment.
The move escalates the country’s political uncertainties following Yoon’s failed martial law bid on December 3.
Yoon, who was impeached on December 14 over the debacle, has been suspended from office pending a decision by the Constitutional Court, leaving Han, who is also the country’s prime minster, to step in as acting president under South Korea’s constitutional line of succession.
The Constitutional Court currently operates with only six of its nine justices due to the retirement of three in October, raising questions about whether its eventual decision on the impeachment will be considered legally valid and widely accepted.
Acting president Han announced he would “shelve” the appointment of new justices, urging rival parties to first agree on whether an interim leader has the authority to appoint Constitutional Court justices – a demand widely considered impractical.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DKP) responded furiously, introducing a motion to impeach Han himself.
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Singapore warns about meddling over supposed Communist Youth League of China-linked ads
By Kimberly Lim
Singapore is investigating a case of job offers on LinkedIn supposedly posted by a branch of the Communist Party of China and its Communist Youth League for purportedly two roles at an educational institution in the city state.
“The Singapore government will not tolerate the importation of the politics of other countries into Singapore. Foreigners visiting, studying, working or living in Singapore should not carry out their political agendas or activities here. We will deal firmly with any individual or group found to be doing so,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in response to queries from This Week in Asia.
According to a report by the government-owned broadsheet The Straits Times, the two job listings were posted on LinkedIn on December 20 by an account on the professional social networking site that named itself the Communist Youth League of China, which comes under the Communist Party of China.
The listings were for a party branch secretary and deputy branch secretary for a supposed Ngee Ann Polytechnic branch of the youth league.
The account and job listings have since been taken down.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] is aware of job offers on LinkedIn supposedly related to a branch of the Communist Party of China and its Communist Youth League, in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Police reports have been received and MHA is looking into the case,” the ministry said.
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By Kimberly Lim
Singapore is investigating a case of job offers on LinkedIn supposedly posted by a branch of the Communist Party of China and its Communist Youth League for purportedly two roles at an educational institution in the city state.
“The Singapore government will not tolerate the importation of the politics of other countries into Singapore. Foreigners visiting, studying, working or living in Singapore should not carry out their political agendas or activities here. We will deal firmly with any individual or group found to be doing so,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in response to queries from This Week in Asia.
According to a report by the government-owned broadsheet The Straits Times, the two job listings were posted on LinkedIn on December 20 by an account on the professional social networking site that named itself the Communist Youth League of China, which comes under the Communist Party of China.
The listings were for a party branch secretary and deputy branch secretary for a supposed Ngee Ann Polytechnic branch of the youth league.
The account and job listings have since been taken down.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs [MHA] is aware of job offers on LinkedIn supposedly related to a branch of the Communist Party of China and its Communist Youth League, in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Police reports have been received and MHA is looking into the case,” the ministry said.
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Hong Kong police investigate dead puppies found on shopping centre rooftop
By Vivian Au
Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into animal cruelty after two puppies were found dead on a shopping centre rooftop in Cheung Sha Wan.
Police said they received multiple reports from residents alerting them of the dead animals at Lai Kok Shopping Centre on Thursday morning.
Both dogs were female and around one month old, sources said.
Officers and staff from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who arrived on site confirmed that both puppies were dead before removing the bodies from the location.
The case has been classified as one of cruelty to animals. No arrests have been made yet.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$200,000 (US$25,750) and imprisonment for three years.
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By Vivian Au
Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into animal cruelty after two puppies were found dead on a shopping centre rooftop in Cheung Sha Wan.
Police said they received multiple reports from residents alerting them of the dead animals at Lai Kok Shopping Centre on Thursday morning.
Both dogs were female and around one month old, sources said.
Officers and staff from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who arrived on site confirmed that both puppies were dead before removing the bodies from the location.
The case has been classified as one of cruelty to animals. No arrests have been made yet.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$200,000 (US$25,750) and imprisonment for three years.
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Will delayed launch put China plans to build Starlink rival at long-term risk?
By Ling Xin
China has paused deployment of its Qianfan broadband satellite network amid reports of major propulsion problems, potentially hindering plans to catch up with SpaceX’s Starlink.
A fourth batch of 18 satellites was due to leave the Wenchang spaceport on the southern island province of Hainan on December 23 but departure was postponed to next year, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
According to videos shared on Chinese social media, the Long March-8 rocket that was to carry the satellites into low Earth orbit arrived at Wenchang in November and was rolled out to the launch pad 10 days ago, before it was returned to its assembly building.
The delay sparked widespread discussion among China’s space community. Industry experts and enthusiasts have speculated on the possible cause on Chinese social media platforms, with many focused on the possibility of malfunctioning propulsion systems.
China’s plans for the Qianfan Constellation, which saw its first components launched in August, called for the launch of 108 satellites in 2024 – enough to establish initial commercial service capabilities, a goal that now seems out of reach.
In the long run, however, the constellation’s development may remain on track. Building a network of more than 10,000 satellites is, by its nature, a long-term endeavour that will span a decade or more.
Observers also noted that technical challenges are not uncommon in the early stages of constellation deployment, with about 3 per cent of Starlink’s first 800 satellites declared “dead” because of design or manufacturing defects.
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By Ling Xin
China has paused deployment of its Qianfan broadband satellite network amid reports of major propulsion problems, potentially hindering plans to catch up with SpaceX’s Starlink.
A fourth batch of 18 satellites was due to leave the Wenchang spaceport on the southern island province of Hainan on December 23 but departure was postponed to next year, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
According to videos shared on Chinese social media, the Long March-8 rocket that was to carry the satellites into low Earth orbit arrived at Wenchang in November and was rolled out to the launch pad 10 days ago, before it was returned to its assembly building.
The delay sparked widespread discussion among China’s space community. Industry experts and enthusiasts have speculated on the possible cause on Chinese social media platforms, with many focused on the possibility of malfunctioning propulsion systems.
China’s plans for the Qianfan Constellation, which saw its first components launched in August, called for the launch of 108 satellites in 2024 – enough to establish initial commercial service capabilities, a goal that now seems out of reach.
In the long run, however, the constellation’s development may remain on track. Building a network of more than 10,000 satellites is, by its nature, a long-term endeavour that will span a decade or more.
Observers also noted that technical challenges are not uncommon in the early stages of constellation deployment, with about 3 per cent of Starlink’s first 800 satellites declared “dead” because of design or manufacturing defects.
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Will South Korea draw closer to China if ties with US worsen under Trump?
By Maria Siow
The constitutional crisis gripping South Korea in the wake of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law bid could be the window of opportunity that China has been waiting for to reshape ties with its economically and diplomatically vital neighbour, analysts say.
While some believe a more balanced South Korean foreign policy less tilted towards the United States and Japan might take shape under a new administration, others suggest Seoul’s strategic ties and Beijing’s economic competition with Washington may limit progress in ties between the two East Asian countries.
Jae-Hung Chung, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at Sejong Institute, a South Korean think tank, said China could view the potential for leadership changes in South Korea as an opportunity to adjust their bilateral relations.
“Under South President Yoon Suk-yeol, Seoul aligned more closely with the US-Japan framework, often seen as countering Beijing’s interests in the region. A new administration could provide an opening for Beijing to advocate for greater neutrality or even collaboration on regional issues,” Chung said.
After Yoon’s martial law decree was quickly reversed earlier this month, the country’s National Assembly voted to impeach him following a massive public outcry.
While the South Korean constitutional court deliberates on Yoon’s fate in the weeks ahead – with the first pretrial hearing to be held on Friday – the president continues to face a ban on foreign travel.
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By Maria Siow
The constitutional crisis gripping South Korea in the wake of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law bid could be the window of opportunity that China has been waiting for to reshape ties with its economically and diplomatically vital neighbour, analysts say.
While some believe a more balanced South Korean foreign policy less tilted towards the United States and Japan might take shape under a new administration, others suggest Seoul’s strategic ties and Beijing’s economic competition with Washington may limit progress in ties between the two East Asian countries.
Jae-Hung Chung, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at Sejong Institute, a South Korean think tank, said China could view the potential for leadership changes in South Korea as an opportunity to adjust their bilateral relations.
“Under South President Yoon Suk-yeol, Seoul aligned more closely with the US-Japan framework, often seen as countering Beijing’s interests in the region. A new administration could provide an opening for Beijing to advocate for greater neutrality or even collaboration on regional issues,” Chung said.
After Yoon’s martial law decree was quickly reversed earlier this month, the country’s National Assembly voted to impeach him following a massive public outcry.
While the South Korean constitutional court deliberates on Yoon’s fate in the weeks ahead – with the first pretrial hearing to be held on Friday – the president continues to face a ban on foreign travel.
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Russia foils Ukrainian plots to kill senior military officers and their families
By Reuters
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence services to kill high-ranking Russian officers and their families in Moscow using bombs disguised as power banks or document folders.
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, on December 17 in Moscow outside his residential building by detonating a bomb attached to an electric scooter.
An SBU source confirmed that the Ukrainian intelligence agency had been behind the hit. Russia said the killing was a terrorist attack by Kyiv and vowed revenge.
“The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has prevented a series of assassination attempts on high-ranking military personnel of the Defence Ministry,” the FSB said.
“Four Russian citizens involved in the preparation of these attacks have been detained.”
The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said that the Russian citizens had been recruited by the Ukrainian intelligence services.
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By Reuters
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence services to kill high-ranking Russian officers and their families in Moscow using bombs disguised as power banks or document folders.
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, on December 17 in Moscow outside his residential building by detonating a bomb attached to an electric scooter.
An SBU source confirmed that the Ukrainian intelligence agency had been behind the hit. Russia said the killing was a terrorist attack by Kyiv and vowed revenge.
“The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation has prevented a series of assassination attempts on high-ranking military personnel of the Defence Ministry,” the FSB said.
“Four Russian citizens involved in the preparation of these attacks have been detained.”
The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said that the Russian citizens had been recruited by the Ukrainian intelligence services.
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By Zoey Zhang
A hospital cleaner in China who adopted 38 abandoned infants over a decade has been nominated as a National Moral Model.
Tang Caiying, 88, is a retired cleaner from a hospital in Xinyu, in southeastern China’s Jiangxi province, the mainland media outlet The Paper reported.
Between the 1980s and 1990s, she adopted more than 30 children.
One winter day in 1982, a 46-year-old Tang found a baby girl wrapped in a cotton coat, abandoned beside railway tracks on her way to work.
Unable to leave the baby in the freezing wind, she brought the crying infant home, fed and cleaned her up.
She named the girl Fangfang, which means “fragrance” like blooming flowers.A group photo of those taken in by Tang Caiying, centre, shows the vast extent of her kindness. Photo: Weibo
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Can Malaysia’s Mahathir outwit ‘common enemy’ Anwar over Pedra Branca row?
By Joseph Sipalan
Malaysia’s government may be setting itself up for a fresh round of political upheaval, experts say, as it considers whether to initiate a criminal probe against former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad for dropping a challenge against the award of a contested island to Singapore over a decade ago.
On December 5, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration declassified a report by a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Pedra Branca, locally known as Pulau Batu Puteh, which recommended that Mahathir be investigated for allegedly cheating the government into withdrawing a challenge against the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision in 2008 to award the rocky outcrop to Singapore.
The revelation has triggered a fiery reaction from 99-year-old Mahathir.
A week later, the two-time prime minister announced a coalition with the Malay nationalist Perikatan Nasional opposition front to fight back against Anwar’s administration, which he described as the “common enemy” of the country’s Malay-Muslim majority.
“At the moment, Anwar is public enemy No. 1 for [Mahathir] and the opposition,” said Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, head of the political science department at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).
“If [the government] goes ahead with the investigations, the opposition will have a field day to paint this very negative picture of Anwar.”
The ICJ’s award was important for Malaysia’s geographically smaller neighbour as it resulted in Singapore’s exclusive economic zone extending by up to 12 nautical miles outwards from Pedra Branca, which is located 24 nautical miles east of the city state.
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By Joseph Sipalan
Malaysia’s government may be setting itself up for a fresh round of political upheaval, experts say, as it considers whether to initiate a criminal probe against former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad for dropping a challenge against the award of a contested island to Singapore over a decade ago.
On December 5, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration declassified a report by a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Pedra Branca, locally known as Pulau Batu Puteh, which recommended that Mahathir be investigated for allegedly cheating the government into withdrawing a challenge against the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision in 2008 to award the rocky outcrop to Singapore.
The revelation has triggered a fiery reaction from 99-year-old Mahathir.
A week later, the two-time prime minister announced a coalition with the Malay nationalist Perikatan Nasional opposition front to fight back against Anwar’s administration, which he described as the “common enemy” of the country’s Malay-Muslim majority.
“At the moment, Anwar is public enemy No. 1 for [Mahathir] and the opposition,” said Syaza Farhana Mohamad Shukri, head of the political science department at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).
“If [the government] goes ahead with the investigations, the opposition will have a field day to paint this very negative picture of Anwar.”
The ICJ’s award was important for Malaysia’s geographically smaller neighbour as it resulted in Singapore’s exclusive economic zone extending by up to 12 nautical miles outwards from Pedra Branca, which is located 24 nautical miles east of the city state.
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More Hongkongers consider RVs as popularity of road camping in mainland China grows
By Danny Mok
Hongkonger Garrick Tang is eagerly awaiting the delivery of a camping vehicle he bought in Guangzhou in November, as he is planning a road trip to Tibet in his new mobile home.
The 49-year-old property agency owner is among members of the city’s small but growing shachuhaku circle – enthusiasts who transform their vehicles into compact living spaces, complete with beds, cooking facilities and more.
Shachuhaku, a Japanese term which means “vehicle living”, distinguishes itself from traditional camping. Unlike campers who pitch tents, those who take up shachuhaku take pride in converting their vehicles into fully functional mobile homes.
Tang’s journey began five years ago, when he installed a simple makeshift bed in his seven-seater Toyota Alphard. It was a modest modification compared with those made by hardcore shachuhaku enthusiasts, but it was enough.
His camping vehicle allowed him to go on scenic trips around Hong Kong during his breaks and became a sanctuary that helped him beat his boredom when travel restrictions were imposed in the city during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lifting of cross-border travel restrictions to mainland China and the launch of the “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” scheme in July last year marked a turning point for Tang’s passion.
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By Danny Mok
Hongkonger Garrick Tang is eagerly awaiting the delivery of a camping vehicle he bought in Guangzhou in November, as he is planning a road trip to Tibet in his new mobile home.
The 49-year-old property agency owner is among members of the city’s small but growing shachuhaku circle – enthusiasts who transform their vehicles into compact living spaces, complete with beds, cooking facilities and more.
Shachuhaku, a Japanese term which means “vehicle living”, distinguishes itself from traditional camping. Unlike campers who pitch tents, those who take up shachuhaku take pride in converting their vehicles into fully functional mobile homes.
Tang’s journey began five years ago, when he installed a simple makeshift bed in his seven-seater Toyota Alphard. It was a modest modification compared with those made by hardcore shachuhaku enthusiasts, but it was enough.
His camping vehicle allowed him to go on scenic trips around Hong Kong during his breaks and became a sanctuary that helped him beat his boredom when travel restrictions were imposed in the city during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lifting of cross-border travel restrictions to mainland China and the launch of the “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” scheme in July last year marked a turning point for Tang’s passion.
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Chinese scientists say new sunblock can cut body temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius
By Holly Chik
Scientists in China say they have developed a cooling sunscreen that lowers skin temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius.
The sunscreen is ideal for outdoor workers because it is also waterproof and offers protection equivalent to a Factor 51 sunblock after 12 hours of continuous exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation.
The team from Tsinghua University in Beijing said it has “promising commercial potential in the sunscreen market” in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nano Letters last month.
“We prepared a radiative cooling sunscreen that can not only significantly reduce the skin temperature but also protects the skin from being harmed by the UV radiation,” they wrote.
Corresponding author Zhang Rufan, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Tsinghua University, said humans must adapt as climate change leads to more extreme weather, but adjusting to heat is generally more challenging than dealing with cold.
“We can wear thick clothing to stay warm in freezing temperatures. But in extreme heat higher than 50 degrees Celsius [122 Fahrenheit], outdoor workers like transport police, road workers and farmers have to cope with severe conditions that can lead to heat stress, exhaustion or death. They need effective cooling methods and skin protection,” Zhang said.
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By Holly Chik
Scientists in China say they have developed a cooling sunscreen that lowers skin temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius.
The sunscreen is ideal for outdoor workers because it is also waterproof and offers protection equivalent to a Factor 51 sunblock after 12 hours of continuous exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation.
The team from Tsinghua University in Beijing said it has “promising commercial potential in the sunscreen market” in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nano Letters last month.
“We prepared a radiative cooling sunscreen that can not only significantly reduce the skin temperature but also protects the skin from being harmed by the UV radiation,” they wrote.
Corresponding author Zhang Rufan, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Tsinghua University, said humans must adapt as climate change leads to more extreme weather, but adjusting to heat is generally more challenging than dealing with cold.
“We can wear thick clothing to stay warm in freezing temperatures. But in extreme heat higher than 50 degrees Celsius [122 Fahrenheit], outdoor workers like transport police, road workers and farmers have to cope with severe conditions that can lead to heat stress, exhaustion or death. They need effective cooling methods and skin protection,” Zhang said.
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Body found in wheel well of United Airlines plane after landing in Hawaii
By Reuters
A dead body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines jetliner after the aircraft landed in the Hawaiian island of Maui, the airline said on Wednesday.
The body was discovered in one of the compartments that houses the aeroplane’s landing gear when United flight 202 from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport landed at Kahului Airport on Tuesday afternoon, according to the airline’s website. No further details about the deceased person were provided.
“The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well,” it said.
United said it was working with authorities on the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stowaways in the unpressurised wheelhouses and cargo holds of planes can face temperatures of between minus 50 degrees and minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 58 and minus 76 Fahrenheit), as well as a lack of oxygen.
While the fatality rate for most wheel-well stowaways is high, some people have survived the ordeal.
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By Reuters
A dead body was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines jetliner after the aircraft landed in the Hawaiian island of Maui, the airline said on Wednesday.
The body was discovered in one of the compartments that houses the aeroplane’s landing gear when United flight 202 from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport landed at Kahului Airport on Tuesday afternoon, according to the airline’s website. No further details about the deceased person were provided.
“The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well,” it said.
United said it was working with authorities on the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stowaways in the unpressurised wheelhouses and cargo holds of planes can face temperatures of between minus 50 degrees and minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 58 and minus 76 Fahrenheit), as well as a lack of oxygen.
While the fatality rate for most wheel-well stowaways is high, some people have survived the ordeal.
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Korean actress Han So-hee’s mother given suspended jail term for operating gambling dens
By The Korea Times
South Korean actress Han So-hee’s mother has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for operating multiple illegal gambling establishments, according to legal sources.
Judge Kim Do-hyung of the Chuncheon District Court’s Wonju branch sentenced her mother, only identified as A, 55, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, along with 120 hours of community service, for charges related to the establishment of gambling venues.
A was prosecuted for establishing seven gambling venues for profit between late January 2022 and late August 2023.
At the time, Han’s agency issued a statement saying: “This case is entirely unrelated to the actress and stems from her mother’s personal actions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this private matter.”
Prosecutors said that A connected with members of an illegal gambling site through Telegram, obtaining access and management codes to establish seven betting venues. She earned profits by collecting commissions based on total wagers and user losses.
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By The Korea Times
South Korean actress Han So-hee’s mother has been sentenced to a suspended prison term for operating multiple illegal gambling establishments, according to legal sources.
Judge Kim Do-hyung of the Chuncheon District Court’s Wonju branch sentenced her mother, only identified as A, 55, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, along with 120 hours of community service, for charges related to the establishment of gambling venues.
A was prosecuted for establishing seven gambling venues for profit between late January 2022 and late August 2023.
At the time, Han’s agency issued a statement saying: “This case is entirely unrelated to the actress and stems from her mother’s personal actions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this private matter.”
Prosecutors said that A connected with members of an illegal gambling site through Telegram, obtaining access and management codes to establish seven betting venues. She earned profits by collecting commissions based on total wagers and user losses.
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