South Korean actress Lee Yeol-eum charged in Thailand for catching endangered giant clams
- She caught three giant clams in a Thai national marine park on the survival TV show The Law of the Jungle
- Thai authorities said the actress has been charged with hunting the protected shellfish
Actress Lee Yeol-eum cheered as she caught the three giant shellfish in a Thai national marine park in March on the survival TV show “The Law of the Jungle.” Participants in the show then ate the clams in an episode that aired on June 30.
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 (US$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.”
Seoul Broadcasting System, the show’s producer, issued a statement on Friday saying it “deeply apologises” for filming the episode without a thorough understanding of local regulations, and said it would be more careful in the future.
However, Narong said the producers had been informed of the regulations.