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South Korean actress faces Thai jail for catching endangered clams in TV stunt

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Agence France-Presse

BANGKOK, THAILAND - A South Korean actress faces up to five years in a Thai jail for catching endangered giant clams in a reality TV stunt, an official said Saturday, despite the show&#x27;s extensive apology.Lee Yeol-eum was filmed diving for giant clams at a Thai marine park for a June 30 episode of &quot;Law of the Jungle&quot; -- a popular South Korean reality show.After prising two giant clams from the coral-laid seabed, Lee pumped them in the air yelling &quot;I caught it!&quot;The creatures are listed as an endangered species and protected under Thai law.A picture of 23-year old Lee picking up the mollusks started circulating online, bringing the star of Korean TV drama &quot;My First Love&quot; to the attention of authorities.Narong Kongaid, the head of Hat Chao Mai National Park -- where the show was filmed in April -- told AFP he filed two charges Wednesday against the actress for violating the National Parks law and the Wildlife Protection law.&quot;She is subjected to 5 years imprisonment,&quot; Narong told AFP.The production company had apologized, he said, &quot;but this is a criminal case and we cannot withdraw the complaint.&quot;The police will figure out a way to find Lee even if she&#x27;s no longer in Thailand, Narong added.While the criminal complaint has been filed with the police, it is now up to the court&#x27;s prosecutor to decide if Lee will be pursued or if the case will be dropped.She faces either 5 years imprisonment under the National Parks law, or 4 years if sought for breaking the Wildlife Protection law. Both laws also carry fines of 20,000 baht ($650).In a statement published Friday, the South Korean show offered their &quot;deep apologies&quot; for not being aware of Thailand&#x27;s wildlife regulations.&quot;We will be more cautious of our actions when producing the show in the future,&quot; it said.Lee made her TV debut six years ago and has been working steadily since, starring in the 2016 drama series &quot;Monster&quot; and the 2017 box office crime drama hit &quot;The King&quot;.

Lee Yeol-eum was filmed diving for giant clams at a Thai marine park for a June 30 episode of "Law of the Jungle" -- a popular South Korean reality show.

Lee Yeol-eum was filmed diving for giant clams at a Thai marine park for a June 30 episode of "Law of the Jungle" -- a popular South Korean reality show.