The Downfall of a Former Seoul City Councillor and ‘Laughter Therapist’: Vanishing After Borrowing Billions

A woman who once made a living from bringing laughter to the world has now allegedly brought tears to the very citizens she was meant to serve, before vanishing without a trace. The irony is stark. This former member of the 9th Seoul Metropolitan Council, who also worked as an entertainer and laughter therapy practitioner, has been booked by police on suspicion of massive fraud. However, this case appears to go far beyond simply borrowing money and failing to repay it.

Dozens of Victims, Losses Exceeding 1 Billion Won

According to police on the 18th, the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station has booked the former councilwoman, identified as Ms. A, on fraud charges and is currently investigating. Ms. A is accused of approaching local residents and district office officials in the Seodaemun-gu area since last year, borrowing money from them with no intention of repaying it. The sheer scale of the alleged fraud is staggering. The number of confirmed victims is already in the dozens, and the total amount involved is known to exceed at least 1 billion won, sending shockwaves through the local community.

The Double Life of a 'Laughter Therapist'

Ms. A is not just a former city councillor. She first entered the entertainment industry as a KBS open-competition comedian. Later, she worked as a kindergarten teacher before reinventing herself by obtaining qualifications as a laughter therapy practitioner and recreation instructor, becoming active in various fields. Her career trajectory can be summarised as follows:

• Late 1980s: Debuts as KBS open-competition comedian; active in broadcasting.
• Early 2000s: Transitions to become a kindergarten teacher, working in education.
• Around 2010: Obtains qualifications as a laughter therapy practitioner and recreation instructor; begins giving lectures.
• 2014: Elected to the 9th Seoul Metropolitan Council; enters politics.
• March 2026: Comes under police investigation for alleged fraud involving billions of won.

In the memories of local residents, she was a remarkably cheerful person. Indeed, when she ran for the Seoul Metropolitan Council in 2014, her campaign slogan was, "A world where hardworking people can smile." In an interview at the time, she expressed her unique ambition, saying, "Just as a comedian's job is to make the audience laugh, politics is about sacrificing and serving the residents." Her diverse background and eloquence were more than enough to earn the trust of her constituency.

A Deep Sense of Betrayal Felt by the Community

Now, that same woman has reportedly 'disappeared', leaving even her former constituents unable to contact her. It is particularly shocking that many of the alleged victims are acquaintances she made while serving as a city councillor or while giving lectures as a laughter therapy practitioner.

One resident of Seodaemun-gu expressed their anger, saying, "I never suspected her because of the image she had built up over the years." "How could someone who was supposed to make people laugh do something like this?" They added, "This wasn't just a loan between acquaintances; she completely betrayed our trust." This incident will likely be remembered not merely as a financial crime, but as a case that has severely damaged the very fabric of trust within the local community.

The Seodaemun Police Station is currently working to confirm the exact charges against Ms. A and investigate the possibility of further victims. While police plan to summon her for questioning soon regarding the allegations, her whereabouts have yet to be confirmed.

A talent for making people laugh and a passion for regional development are certainly commendable. But using that hard-earned trust to cheat one's neighbours is inexcusable for any reason. All eyes will be on the police investigation to see how this bitter aftertaste left by a former city councillor who peddled 'laughter' is finally resolved.