Broadcaster Cho Se-ho. Photo Sports Kyunghyang DB
As the whistleblower who revealed allegations connecting broadcaster Cho Se-ho to organized crime signaled additional disclosures, the side of Cho Se-ho is keeping a close watch on the situation.
Mr. A, who raised the allegations about Cho Se-ho, posted again on SNS (social networking service) on the 5th. He wrote on SNS, “The posts I have uploaded now are causing ripples and Cho Se-ho will be in a lot of trouble,” and added, “I know all the public officials, entertainers, and influencers who have connections with the organized crime member Mr. Choi.”
Regarding the explanation by the side of Cho Se-ho that it was ‘a mere acquaintance,’ he said, “Of course, since entertainers are people too, I can understand Cho Se-ho and Nam Chang-hee having drinks with a gangster friend,” while also insisting, “Entertainers are public figures. Can a public figure, who should set an example for the public, have been just a mere acquaintance with an organized crime member for 10 years? That makes no sense.”
He then addressed officials at the company of Cho Se-ho, saying, “I have a photo of Cho Se-ho, before his marriage, introducing Mr. Choi to his current wife at his home and having drinks. I do not intend to disclose it, but if you keep saying (regarding Mr. Choi by Mr. Cho Se-ho) that he is just an acquaintance, I will disclose it,” leaving open the possibility of further disclosures involving Cho Se-ho’s wife.
Broadcaster Cho Se-ho. Photo Sports Kyunghyang DB
A2Z Entertainment said on the 5th, “The assertions by Mr. A amount only to personal speculation and are not true.” It continued, “We are actively reviewing criminal and civil legal action for criminal acts such as defamation by false statements about the artist and obstruction of business.”
A2Z is also said to be closely watching Mr. A’s remarks about additional disclosures. A representative of A2Z Entertainment said in a phone call with ‘Sports Kyunghyang’ on the 7th, “First, we are closely reviewing the claims by Mr. A, and through our legal counsel, we have begun collecting various evidence that the claims are not true.”
The representative added, “We view as serious, and are watching closely, the part where Mr. A is mentioning family,” and “There is no change to the schedule of activities at this time. Please refrain from groundless slander, malicious posts, and the spread of false information so that the activities of our affiliated artists are not constrained by false claims and their dissemination.”
