Lee Eun-hae disciplined for stamp-based gambling in prison

Lee Eun-hae, currently serving a life sentence for the Gapyeong Valley murder case, was disciplined with nine days of solitary confinement last year for engaging in gambling using stamps as stakes.

Investigations revealed a widespread trend within correctional facilities where stamps are used as a form of currency or casino chips. Inmates reportedly use handmade cards or Hwatu tiles to gamble with registered stamps, which can be valued at approximately 3,830 won each. Over the past four years, more than 1,000 inmates have been caught gambling with stamps.

Beyond gambling, stamps are being used as a medium of exchange for services within prisons. Inmates use stamps to pay others to perform chores such as laundry or cleaning. Additionally, illegal services known as ‘stamp laundering’ have emerged, where third-party operators exchange stamps for cash, charging a commission of roughly 30% before depositing the remaining funds into inmate accounts.

Data shows that stamp purchases in national correctional facilities have increased by approximately 5 billion won over the last four years. Last year alone, nearly 1,000 inmates purchased more than 1.5 million won worth of stamps.