On October 10, Korean police confirmed that the girlfriend of comedian Lee Jin Ho was found dead in her apartment. The discovery was made around 8:30 a.m. on October 5, when a friend reported the case to Incheon Bupyeong Police Station. The deceased was identified as Lee Jin Ho’s partner — the same comedian arrested on September 24 for drunk driving .
Reports suggest that the woman was under immense mental distress after Dispatch published an article naming her as the person who reported Lee Jin Ho’s DUI to authorities. The headline read: “Drunk Driving Attempt: Lee Jin Ho Reported by His Girlfriend.”
Although police confirmed they never disclosed the whistleblower’s identity, Dispatch ’s report spread widely across Korean media, putting the woman under intense scrutiny. She reportedly sent multiple text messages expressing her emotional suffering before her death.
Police stated that there were no signs of a break-in or foul play at the scene. An autopsy has not yet been confirmed. Investigators will look into whether her death was connected to Lee Jin Ho’s DUI case.
Netizens Outraged at Dispatch
Korean netizens reacted furiously, accusing Dispatch of effectively driving the victim to her death. Many argued that the outlet violated journalistic ethics by revealing a whistleblower’s identity instead of protecting her anonymity.
Comments included:
- “I knew something was wrong when I saw Dispatch’s article. I even worried she might be in danger, and now it’s happened.”
- “This is basically murder — Dispatch must be investigated.”
- “Dispatch killed her.”
- “Why expose the person who reported him?”
- “There’s zero protection for whistleblowers in Korea.”
Lee Jin Ho’s Controversial Past
Born in 1986, Lee Jin Ho was once a well-known comedian. But his career collapsed after a series of scandals, including illegal online gambling and drunk driving .
In October 2024, reports revealed he had gambled illegally since 2020, racking up massive debts and borrowing money from stars like Jimin (BTS) , Lee Soo Geun , and Young Tak . Jimin reportedly loaned him 100 million KRW (~$75,000), which Lee never repaid despite promising to return it within a week. Jimin simply told him: “Pay me back within 10 years.”
Most recently, on September 24, Lee Jin Ho was arrested for driving 100 km from Incheon to Yangpyeong while intoxicated. His blood alcohol level was 0.11% , high enough for a one-year license suspension. He has requested a blood test for further verification.
Sources: Koreaboo,Dispatch,Korean police reports
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