The gambling habits of Lee Dong-ho, the son of South Korean presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung, continue to draw public attention on the eve of the elections set for June 3. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party (DP) currently leads the polls with a 9% to 12% margin over his closest competitors.
Political adversaries are calling for a thorough investigation into both Lee Jae-myung and his 28-year-old son, Lee Dong-ho. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has established a special unit, the “Lee Jae-myung Family Corruption Investigation Team,” which aims to delve into allegations surrounding Lee Dong-ho’s gambling activities.
**South Korean Presidential Frontrunner: Gambling Controversy Continues**
Despite being unemployed for several years, Lee Dong-ho is accused by critics of spending significant amounts on online gambling. The most recent financial disclosures by Lee Jae-myung value his son’s total assets at just over $2,800.
The PPP is planning to take legal action against Lee Dong-ho, citing approximately $168,550 in what it considers “suspicious” and potentially illegal gambling funds. The party has criticized Lee Jae-myung and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, for their lack of response to these allegations.
Reports have surfaced of Gyeonggi Provincial Government officials using an official vehicle to transport Lee Dong-ho home from the hospital in June 2021, while Lee Jae-myung was the Governor of Gyeonggi Province. It is alleged that during this period, Lee Dong-ho spent about $4,850 on illegal gambling sites, and officials have even presented screenshots from Telegram chat groups as proof.
Prosecutors suspect that Lee Dong-ho was engaged in illegal gambling during and immediately following his hospitalization. Critics have slammed Lee Jae-myung and his wife for allowing their son to misuse public resources and continuously flout the law.
The PPP intends to report Lee Jae-myung, his wife, and their son to the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office, accusing them of violating tax law, money laundering regulations, and public election rules.
**Tax Evasion Claims**
There are claims that if Lee Dong-ho financed his gambling using his parents’ money, it may involve gift tax evasion. Questions persist regarding the source, timing, and manner of these financial gifts.
In late October of the previous year, the Suwon District Court found Lee Dong-ho guilty of habitual gambling and related obscene material distribution, imposing a 5 million KRW ($3,635) fine. Court records list his status as “unemployed.”
**Lee Dong-ho Has Paid For His Crimes, Says DP**
The DP maintains that the legal system has addressed Lee Dong-ho’s illegal gambling activities and considers the case resolved. A DP spokesperson has described the allegations by Gyeonggi Provincial Government officials as biased and unproven.
A recent survey revealed that 4.3% of South Korean students from elementary to high school have engaged in some form of gambling, mostly online, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue among the youth.
Furthermore, in April, police in Gyeonggi Province arrested 19 individuals linked to an illegal gambling operation and several offline casinos, emphasizing that all forms of online betting are illegal in South Korea.