'Assault Allegation' Kim Ha-sung Official Statement: "Threatened Targeting My Military Status"

"Sorry for Causing Concern to Many People"

Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres), the first Korean player to win a Gold Glove in Major League Baseball (MLB) this year, has issued an official statement through his legal representative regarding allegations of assault against a junior baseball player.

"The opposing player exploited Kim Ha-seong's military status to threaten him"

Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres), active in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 8th, Choi Sun Law Firm, representing Kim Ha-seong, stated, "The opposing player exploited Kim Ha-seong's military status in 2021 to threaten him and demanded money under the pretext of a settlement. Kim Ha-seong paid the money on the condition that he would not contact the player directly or indirectly or engage in any harmful actions." The year 2021 was Kim Ha-seong's first year in the American Major League.

Kim Ha-seong, who won a gold medal with the Korean national baseball team at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, entered the training center as an arts and sports personnel in December of that year.

Arts and sports personnel are allowed to perform alternative service for 2 years and 10 months while engaging in their original occupations after completing basic military training.

However, if legal issues arise during this period, they may be required to serve as active-duty soldiers again.

In 2021, it is known that Kim Ha-seong had an altercation with the junior player at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul. Afterwards, the junior player continuously demanded settlement money on the grounds of assault. It is reported that Kim Ha-seong paid approximately 400 million KRW to the junior player, who also provided photos to some media outlets as evidence of the alleged assault.

Choi Sun Law Firm stated, "Despite this, the opposing player contacted Kim Ha-seong again, violating the settlement agreement. Consequently, Kim Ha-seong filed a criminal complaint to prevent further damage and separately pursued a civil lawsuit and provisional seizure for breach of contract."

"No assault by the opposing player... Will thoroughly hold accountable for false accusations"

They emphasized, "The claim that Kim Ha-seong unilaterally and repeatedly assaulted the opposing player is completely untrue."

They also said, "If the opposing player believes his claims are true, he should formally submit a complaint. Kim Ha-seong will sincerely prove his innocence and will hold the opposing player fully accountable for false accusations."

Finally, they added, "We will proceed with additional lawsuits against the act of leaking false facts and manipulated evidence photos to the media."

Through the official statement, Kim Ha-seong said, "I apologize for causing concern to many people due to this personal issue."

Kim Ha-seong and the junior player are senior and junior teammates from Nexen (now Kiwoom) Heroes. Kim Ha-seong joined in 2014, and the junior player, a former pitcher, joined in 2015.

The junior player ended his active career without appearing in first-team games but continued to maintain a private relationship with Kim Ha-seong afterward.

Earlier, on the 7th, it was revealed that Kim Ha-seong filed a police complaint alleging extortion and threats by this player. In response, the junior player claimed in several broadcast interviews and on YouTube channels that he was "unilaterally and continuously assaulted by Kim Ha-seong."

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