Four NC Players Disciplined for Hosting 'Hotel Drinking Party' and Testing Positive for COVID-19... Hanwha and Kiwoom Also Held Drinking Parties with Outsiders

On the 16th, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) held a disciplinary committee meeting and imposed a 72-game suspension and a fine of 10 million won each on NC Dinos players (from left in the photo) Park Seok-min, Park Min-woo, Lee Myung-ki, and Kwon Hee-dong.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Following the severe disciplinary actions against NC players who contracted COVID-19 after drinking with outsiders at a hotel, it has been confirmed that players from Kiwoom and Hanwha also violated COVID-19 prevention rules by meeting these outsiders, causing a major stir.

On the 16th, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) held a disciplinary committee meeting and imposed a 72-game suspension and a fine of 10 million KRW each on NC players Park Seok-min, Park Min-woo, Lee Myung-gi, and Kwon Hee-dong. The disciplinary committee made this decision based on Article 151 of the KBO regulations concerning acts that damage the dignity of the league.

The NC team was fined 100 million KRW for failing to properly manage the players. It was determined that due to the team's negligence in player management, a serious consequence of league suspension occurred, damaging the league's reputation. This decision was made under the special provisions of Article 1 of the KBO regulations' supplementary rules concerning the authority of the commissioner.

Since NC has already played 74 out of 144 games this season, these four players will not be able to return to the field this season. If the team imposes additional disciplinary measures, the number of suspended games could increase further.

Earlier, on the night of the 5th after 10 PM, the four players drank with two acquaintances of Park Seok-min at the Seoul away accommodation. Subsequently, one of the acquaintances tested positive for COVID-19 on the 8th, and among the four players classified as close contacts, three who were not vaccinated?except Park Min-woo?tested positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, confirmed cases emerged among Doosan players who played against NC on the 6th and 7th, and on the 14th, an NC team official also tested positive. Furthermore, 28 NC players and 33 Doosan players and coaching staff who had contact with them are currently in self-quarantine. Ultimately, an unprecedented situation occurred with the suspension of the regular baseball league.

It was revealed belatedly that an outsider who had contact with NC players also had drinking gatherings with Hanwha and Kiwoom players, causing controversy. On the 16th, the Kiwoom team issued a statement saying they plan to impose internal disciplinary actions on these players.
[Photo by Kiwoom Heroes official website]

Moreover, it was later revealed that Hanwha and Kiwoom players also had drinking gatherings with outsiders who had contact with NC players, intensifying the controversy. Both teams explained that since some players were vaccinated, there was no violation of prevention rules, but they have formed disciplinary and punishment committees to take action against the players involved in private gatherings.

On the 16th, the Kiwoom team emphasized, "The club has formed a disciplinary committee and plans to apply a zero-tolerance policy to impose strict penalties on two players who showed irresponsible behavior."

According to the team, the players involved were staying at the accommodation in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for an away game (from the 2nd to the 5th), and on the early morning of the 5th, they received a call from an acquaintance and had a drinking gathering at a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul. This hotel is the same one where the NC players caused the prevention controversy.

Hanwha also released a statement on the same day, saying, "We received news that a COVID-19 case occurred at the hotel where the team stayed during the Jamsil away period from the 2nd to the 5th. After conducting interviews and investigations with all players, we identified two cases of 'unreported contact with outsiders' by players."

The KBO has reported the matter to local authorities for epidemiological investigation and plans to conduct a full inspection of the other teams as well.

Players of the professional baseball team NC Dinos caused social controversy due to a 'COVID-19 breach,' prompting Kim Taek-jin, the club owner and CEO of NC Soft, to issue an apology and bow his head.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Kim Taek-jin, the owner of NC and CEO of NCSoft, bowed his head regarding this incident. On the same day, he issued an apology statement, saying, "I would like to apologize on behalf of the club with a heavy heart." He also added that due to the serious COVID-19 situation, he could not speak directly and thus expressed his apology through a written statement.

Kim explained, "NC players contracted COVID-19 through private gatherings at the accommodation, which led to the suspension of the league, caused confusion for health authorities, and the club responded inadequately." He added, "The ultimate responsibility for this incident lies with me as the club owner."

He continued, "I apologize to all baseball fans who may have been disappointed with me and the club, other team officials, and the health workers who are working hard in the heat." He emphasized, "As the club owner, I will take responsibility for this incident and take all necessary measures to restore trust."

Hwang Soon-hyun, the CEO of NC, resigned taking responsibility for the incident. Hwang said, "I sincerely apologize to baseball fans and the KBO League for the trouble caused by the players within the club and the resulting repercussions." He added, "I hope that NC Dinos will unite with team officials and players to become a team loved by fans once again."

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