South Korean Actress Charged for Catching Giant Clams

Lee Yeol-eum with the giant clams in Law of the Jungle.

BANGKOK — A South Korean actress has been charged in southern Thailand with catching endangered giant clams while participating in a reality TV show.

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. The episode aired on June 30.

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Lee Yeol-eum with the giant clams in Law of the Jungle.
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Thai authorities say the actress has been charged with hunting the protected clams, scientifically known as tridacna gigas, and could face up to four years in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht .

The show places South Korean celebrities into groups that are sent out to test their survival skills in remote locations.

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The show’s broadcaster has apologized for the incident.