Former Volleyball Star Kim Yo Han Cleared in Gambling Blackmail Case
A South Korean court has acquitted former national volleyball player and television broadcaster Kim Yo Han of illegal gambling charges, ruling that the accusations against him were fabricated as part of a blackmail attempt. The man behind the claims has been sentenced to one year in prison.
A Campaign of False Allegations
The case dates back to December 2022, when a series of accusations targeting Kim appeared on the public forum of the popular JTBC program Let’s Eat Dinner Together. The anonymous posts claimed Kim had bet illegally on sports through unlicensed toto sites—platforms that mimic South Korea’s legal Sports Toto system, but operate without regulation.
In South Korea, all legal sports betting must go through Sports Toto, which imposes strict limits on both participation and stake size. Citizens over 20 may wager up to KRW 100,000 (around $72) per ticket on events like volleyball matches in the V-League—Kim’s former home league. The poster’s claims quickly spread online, triggering a public backlash and halting Kim’s ongoing TV commitments.
Court Finds Allegations Baseless
This week, a criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court concluded that the allegations had no factual basis. The court ruled that Hong had circulated unfounded claims about both Kim’s private life and alleged gambling activity. He was also found guilty of issuing threats as part of a broader effort to extort and defame.
Prosecutors revealed that Hong escalated his threats in mid-2024, even as the legal proceedings were underway. The court held him responsible for violating the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection—a statute often used in cases involving malicious online behavior.
In a related civil case, Kim also secured a favorable ruling against Hong.
Statement from Kim’s Agency
Kim’s agency, Janggoon Entertainment, issued a statement confirming the verdict and expressing relief. “Kim Yo-han has been cleared of all charges. It took a long time for the truth to come out. But we thank those who have supported him. Mr. Kim has suffered extreme mental anguish as a result of this matter,” the company said.
The court also convicted Hong of defamation for distributing knowingly false claims about Kim online.
Kim Yo Han began his volleyball career in 2007 as the number-one draft pick for LIG Greaters. He later transferred to Ansan OK Savings Bank in 2017 and retired from professional sports two years later. Since then, he has become a regular figure in South Korean variety television, appearing on shows like Let’s Play Soccer.
Media reports suggest that Kim and Hong first crossed paths during Kim’s active playing days, and later clashed over undisclosed financial matters—possibly forming the basis for the personal vendetta.
While the case against Kim has now been dismissed, the incident has reignited debate around gambling regulations in South Korea. Just last month, the country’s e-sports association formally urged lawmakers to allow public betting on competitive gaming through the official Toto system.
Meanwhile, authorities in neighboring Japan are increasing efforts to curb illegal online gambling by public figures.