Four Lotte Giants players embroiled in a gambling controversy have been handed heavy discipline by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
The KBO said it held a disciplinary committee meeting on Feb. 23 in its conference room for Kim Dong-hyeok, Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop and Kim Se-min. The league confirmed that on Feb. 12, the players visited a gambling-style arcade near their hotel in Tainan, Taiwan, where Lotte was holding its first spring training camp, and used electronic betting games. Lotte reported the matter to the Clean Baseball Center on Feb. 14 after learning of it.
Citing Article 151 of its rules on conduct unbecoming, the committee suspended Kim for 50 games and suspended the other three players for 30 games each. Kim was punished more severely because he was reported to have visited the venue three times, while the others visited once, according to the report.
The KBO said a police investigation is underway, but it imposed sanctions in advance given the seriousness of the incident, the public backlash and damage to the league’s image. It said additional discipline could follow depending on the outcome of the police investigation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.