Actress Lee Yeol-eum charged in Thailand for catching and eating endangered giant clams

Lee Yeol-eum, a popular actress in South Korea currently co-starring in the reality TV show “The Law of the Jungle” being taped in Thailand, has been criminally charged in that country with disturbing and catching endangered giant clams in the ocean waters off Hat Chao Mai National Park.  She and other participants co-starring in the reality show ate those endangered giant clams in the show that aired on June 30. If found guilty of the charges filed against her, she could be looking at a possible four years behind bars in a Thailand a prison.

Narong Kongeiad, chief of Hat Chao Mai National Park, said he filed police charges against Lee on Wednesday for violating wildlife laws by hunting the giant clams. The charge carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht ($1,300).

“The one who must be responsible is the actress who caught the shellfish because she directly violated the law,” he said. “Others who were involved with the incident could also be charged as well.” ~ WTOP

Producers for the show issued an apology earlier today, saying that they “deeply” apologize for taping and airing the show without fully understanding the law of the land regarding the giant endangered clams. They also said they’d be more understanding when moving forward.  Narong, who filed the charges against Lee, “said the producers had been informed of the regulations,” according to ABC News.

“Sea resources in Hat Chao Mai cannot be caught, hunted or cooked, and the cast and crew were fully aware of that because the park firmly informed them of the park’s restrictions before they began filming,” Narong said.

Many of the citizens in the region are calling for the immediate cancellation of “The Law of the Jungle.”

The Hat Chao Mai National Park, where the show was being taped when Lee caught the giant clams, is located in the Thai province of Trang about 420 miles south of Bangkok. In addition to a prison sentence if found guilty, Lee could also be looking at a fine of up to $1,300.

“The Law of the Jungle” began airing in 2011 and currently airs every Friday in South Korea. Prior to co-starring in “The Law of the Jungle” as one of the show’s participants, Lee previously starred and co-starred in several South Korean television series. 

~  Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter

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