Instagram account that disclosed photos of Jo Se-ho with Mr. Choi, identified as an organized crime member

The individual who exposed allegations of broadcaster Jo Se-ho being linked to gangsters announced further disclosures and demanded acknowledgment.

The owner of the Instagram account who raised the suspicions wrote on social networking services (SNS) on the 5th, “Mr. Jo Se-ho, you cannot hide the truth with lies,” and added, “Among gangsters in the Gangnam area, it is already known that Jo Se-ho and Mr. Choi address each other as brothers.”

The account owner said, “Jo Se-ho and Nam Chang-hee, of course, celebrities are people, so I understand being friends with gangsters and having drinks with them,” and continued, “But celebrities are public figures. It makes no sense to claim that a public figure who should set an example for many people has been merely casual acquaintances with an organized crime member for about 10 years.”

They also said, “Heaven knows and earth knows. Given Mr. Choi's character, he is skillful even in handling gangsters, and he must have showered his celebrity friends with gifts,” adding, “Mr. Choi is someone who made big money through illegal gambling money laundering, and if you have known him for 10 years, there is absolutely no way you would not know what he does.”

They went on, “○○ Food, ○○ and Piga, and the corporate lending company as well, are all companies that Jo Se-ho knows and has visited, are they not?” and “People at Jo Se-ho's agency, I have a photo of a drinking get-together where, before his marriage, he was introduced to his current wife at Mr. Choi's residence at Lotte Signiel.”

The account owner said, “I do not intend to make it public, but if you keep saying he is just an acquaintance, I will make it public,” and pleaded, “Please just admit that he is a longtime friend and that you are close.”

Instagram account exposing broadcaster Jo Se-ho

Earlier, the account owner posted, “Top comedian Jo Se-ho, what is your relationship with Mr. Choi, born in 1982, the overall head of the nation's largest illegal fund laundering and a senior organized crime boss?” and “There are many photos like this over the years; do not pretend you do not know, and if you see this, please answer,” and even pinned the recent post as a notice. Along with this, several photos of Jo Se-ho together with Mr. Choi were shared.

Regarding the alleged ties to organized crime, Jo Se-ho's agency said, “This is nothing more than A (the owner of the expos account)'s personal speculation, and we clearly state it is not true,” adding, “A is raising the suspicion that ‘Jo Se-ho received money or expensive gifts from Mr. Choi,’ but this too is nothing more or less than A's personal speculation.”

It continued, “We are actively reviewing civil and criminal legal action in relation to A's criminal conduct of defamation by alleging false facts against our affiliated artist and obstruction of business,” and added, “We will respond strictly, based on a zero-tolerance principle, to indiscriminate acts of spreading rumors.”

However, despite the agency's stance, criticism toward Jo Se-ho did not cease, and he eventually closed the comment section on his Instagram account.