The Fall of a Former Seoul City Councillor and 'Laughter Therapist': Allegations of Borrowing Billions and Disappearing

A person who once made a living by bringing laughter to the world has allegedly vanished, leaving behind a trail of tears for the very citizens she was meant to serve. How ironic is that? A former member of the 9th Seoul City Council, who also worked as a broadcaster and laughter therapist, has been booked by police on charges of massive fraud. But this case appears to go beyond simply borrowing money and failing to repay it.

Dozens of Victims, Losses Exceeding One Billion Won

According to police on the 18th, the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station has booked the former councillor, identified as Ms. A, on fraud charges and is 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, and then not repaying it. The scale of the alleged fraud is the core issue. It has sent shockwaves through the community, with reports indicating at least dozens of victims so far and total losses well exceeding one billion won.

The Double Life of a 'Laughter Therapist'

Ms. A is not just a former city councillor. She began her career as a KBS publicly recruited comedian. Later, she worked as a kindergarten teacher before obtaining certifications as a laughter therapist and recreational leader, becoming active in various fields. Here is a brief timeline of her career:

• Late 1980s: Debuts as a KBS comedian, active in broadcasting.
• Early 2000s: Transitions to become a kindergarten teacher, working in education.
• Around 2010: Obtains certifications as a laughter therapist and recreational leader, begins giving lectures.
• 2014: Elected to the 9th Seoul City 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. In fact, when she ran for the Seoul City Council in 2014, her slogan was "A world where hardworking people can live with a 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 sacrifice and service for the residents." Her background and eloquence were enough to earn the trust of her constituents.

A Community's Sense of Betrayal

Now, that same person is reportedly 'in hiding,' with even her former constituents unable to contact her. It's particularly notable that many of the alleged victims are acquaintances she made while serving as a city councillor and during her time giving lectures as a laughter therapist.

One resident of Seodaemun-gu vented their frustration, saying, "Because of the image she'd built up over the years, I never doubted her." They added, "How could someone who made people laugh do this?" This incident will likely be remembered not just as a simple financial crime, but as a case that has severely damaged the trust system within the local community.

The Seodaemun Police Station is currently working to confirm the exact nature of the charges against Ms. A and to determine if there are additional victims. Police plan to summon her for questioning soon, but her whereabouts have not yet been confirmed.

A talent for making people laugh and a passion for community development are commendable. But using that trust to exploit your neighbours is unforgivable, for any reason. It remains to be seen how the police investigation will conclude this bitter chapter left by a former city councillor who once traded in 'laughter'.