OK Financial Group "Male Volleyball School Violence Controversy Involving Song Myeong-geun and Shim Gyeong-seop Confirmed... We Apologize"

Shim Kyung-seop (left) and Song Myung-geun, who admitted to being involved in past school violence
[Provided by Korea Volleyball Federation. Resale and DB prohibited] / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] The men's professional volleyball team OK Financial Group has acknowledged and apologized for past school violence (bullying) allegations involving their players Song Myung-geun (28) and Shim Kyung-seop (30).

On the 13th, OK Financial Group stated in a press release, "We sincerely apologize to our fans for the disappointment caused by the school violence involving our players Song Myung-geun and Shim Kyung-seop."

The team explained, "It has been confirmed that Song Myung-geun had an inappropriate conflict with a victim during his time at Songnim High School, and that surgical treatment support and an apology were provided at that time. He attempted to meet the victim in person to apologize again, but since contact has not been established, he has conveyed his remorse via text message."

They continued, "Shim Kyung-seop also acknowledged his wrongdoings, including verbal abuse and physical violence toward a victim during his time at Songnim Middle School, and expressed his apologies."

The team apologized, saying, "All players caused irreparable wounds to the victims during their childhood without recognizing the seriousness of violence," and "We once again offer our apologies to the victims."

Furthermore, the team stated, "We take this situation very seriously," and "We will prepare measures to prevent recurrence and strive to manage players thoroughly through continuous education," bowing their heads once more.

Earlier that day, a post titled "I am a victim of school violence by a current male volleyball player" was uploaded on an online community.

A, who identified themselves as a victim of school violence, said, "It happened over 10 years ago, so I wanted to forget and move on, but seeing victims who are brave encouraged me to be brave as well," and "The saying that violence can never be justified, no matter how much time passes, gave me strength," revealing the facts of the abuse.

According to A, when they were a first-year high school student, seniors in their third year forced them to sing, and when they refused, they were assaulted. A was kicked in the groin, taken to the emergency room, and underwent testicular repair surgery.

However, A said they continued to be mocked with phrases like 'the one with a busted groin,' adding, "I have to live with this pain for life, but at the time, the parents of the perpetrator came and said, 'Our child is not like that.' I deeply regret listening to my mother's words to just let it go quietly."

A also revealed that besides the two players who severely assaulted them in high school, there was another player in middle school who locked them in a storage room and kicked them for being one minute late.

A concluded the post by saying, "I want a sincere apology," and later added that they had received contact from the offending players following media coverage.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.