Comedian and Actor Fined for Fraudulent Behavior

A 65-year-old man, known for his work as a comedian and actor, has been sentenced to a fine of 10 million won for fraud. The Incheon District Court's Judge Park Jong-woong announced the ruling on June 3, 2025. The defendant, identified as Lee, was charged with deceiving an acquaintance, referred to as A, out of 20 million won on November 22, 2020, at a pension in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. Lee had claimed that his father and wife were struggling to run a clothing store due to the COVID-19 pandemic and urgently needed the money, promising to repay it immediately. However, investigations revealed that Lee intended to use the funds for personal purposes rather than for the store and had no intention or ability to repay the loan. Judge Park noted the severity of the crime, especially given that Lee had previously been in a similar situation but failed to show remorse. Nonetheless, the court considered that Lee acknowledged his wrongdoing and had reached an agreement with the victim, as well as the fact that he had no prior convictions for similar offenses. Lee began his career in 1983 after participating in the MBC Comedy Contest and later transitioned to acting, featuring in notable works such as 제4공화국 (The Fourth Republic) and 야인시대 (The Era of the Wild).