'Pikkeosot' Park Cheol-woo Reveals "Fainted After Being Hit by Lee Sang-yeol, Eardrum Also Burst"

Park Cheol-woo "Director Lee has been famous since high school"
"Some friends and classmates fainted, some had eardrums damaged"
"Director Lee remains the same after 12 years... I hoped he would change"

On the 18th, at Ansan Sangnoksu Gymnasium in Gyeonggi-do, Park Cheol-woo of Korea Electric Power Corporation is attacking during the match against OK Financial Group. After securing a come-from-behind victory in the game, Park Cheol-woo strongly criticized coach Lee Sang-ryeol in the subsequent interview.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Park Cheol-woo (36) of Korea Electric Power Corporation continued his strong criticism of KB Insurance coach Lee Sang-yeol, who assaulted him 12 years ago.

On the 18th, after a come-from-behind victory against OK Financial Group at Ansan Sangnok Sports Complex, Park Cheol-woo entered the interview room.

Players from the losing team usually do not attend interviews after the game. Park Cheol-woo said, "I really wanted to win and come to the interview room."

Park Cheol-woo admitted that the phrase he posted earlier on SNS, "Really blood-boiling... Is this what it feels like when blood rushes backward..." was indeed aimed at the remarks made by coach Lee Sang-yeol at a press conference the day before, as the media had speculated.

In an interview just before the match against Woori Card, coach Lee Sang-yeol addressed the recent volleyball violence controversy, saying, "Since I am an experienced person, if I become a perpetrator of violence, I will definitely pay the price. Whether financially or in reputation, something will be taken away; it won't just pass smoothly. Cause and effect are certain," apologizing for his wrongdoing and emphasizing the need for caution.

On the 18th, volleyball player Park Cheol-woo posted on SNS. Photo by Park Cheol-woo SNS capture.

Park Cheol-woo was physically assaulted by coach Lee Sang-yeol in the past. Lee Sang-yeol was severely disciplined with an 'indefinite suspension' for assaulting Park Cheol-woo, who was part of the men's national volleyball team, while serving as the national team coach in 2009. However, he returned two years later after being appointed as a game operations committee member of the Korea Volleyball Federation, worked as a commentator, and last year took the helm of KB Insurance.

Park Cheol-woo said, "I saw the article about (coach Lee Sang-yeol's interview) in the morning, and my hands trembled all day. It was very difficult when I heard that he became a coach," adding, "Every time I passed by him at the stadium, it was really tough. Still, I wanted to quietly endure it, but after seeing the article, I thought, 'This is not right,'" he confessed.

While expressing regret toward KB Insurance players, Park Cheol-woo continued his criticism of the coach.

Park Cheol-woo said, "I do not expect an apology. I even withdrew the lawsuit at the time. I truly hoped he would reflect and become a good person. But I heard until a few years ago that he told other players, 'If it weren't for Park Cheol-woo, you would have been hit too.'"

He revealed, "Coach Lee was already well-known since high school. When the team was losing, it was common for players to come back with red faces from being hit," adding, "They are all my friends and peers. Some fainted, and some had eardrums damaged."

He continued angrily, "But is that really a one-time mistake? Was it just once due to emotion? That doesn't make sense."

Park Cheol-woo said, "Back then, it was natural for athletes to be hit. I was hit many times in front of my parents. I don't think there is a volleyball player now who hasn't been hit," but he criticized, "There is a limit to the so-called 'love's rod.' Saying in an interview, 'I tried it once,' is unacceptable."

It was reported that coach Lee Sang-yeol expressed a desire to meet and resolve the issue. Regarding this, Park Cheol-woo drew a line, saying, "It's been 12 years. I repeat, I am not doing this to get an apology. It's not necessary. I don't want to see him."

In conclusion, Park Cheol-woo said, "I have no expectations at all. But I don't think it's right to justify and sugarcoat oneself," emphasizing, "If he truly changed and became a good coach, would these feelings still remain? I really hate seeing professional volleyball portrayed negatively in the media. This time, it must be eradicated."

Meanwhile, on the 18th, Korea Electric Power Corporation, with Park Cheol-woo on the team, rose to 4th place by defeating OK Financial Group in men's professional volleyball.

Korea Electric Power Corporation won the away game held in Ansan against OK Financial Group with a set score of 3-1. Kyle Russell scored 26 points, Park Cheol-woo 14 points, and Shin Young-seok 9 points, with the trio evenly contributing to the victory.

OK Financial Group, whose players Song Myung-geun and Shim Kyung-seop were identified as perpetrators of school violence, fell into a four-game losing streak and dropped to 5th place.

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