Shin returns home to face police probe

Troubled TV celebrity Shin Jung-hwan who is accused of illegal gambling abroad, is expected to return to Korea on Wednesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced Tuesday that 36-year-old Shin will arrive at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday morning and head to the police agency for investigation. 

The singer-turned-TV personality is accused of playing Baccarat at W hotel casino in Cebu in the Philippines last August. He has been staying overseas since then. The last known place where he stayed is Nepal.

Shin had denied the allegations against him and refused to return to Korea despite repeated calls from the police. South Korean police are known to have asked for help from Interpol to bring him back.

Shin has a history of gambling problems. In 2005, he was banned from appearing on TV shows and was slapped with a 7 million won fine for gambling at a foreigner-only casino in Korea.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)