'Kim Ha-seong Extortion Allegation' Im Hye-dong to be Investigated by Police This Week... 'Illegal Filming Suspicion' Hwang Ui-jo Also Summoned

Possibility of Expanded Investigation into Corruption at Seoul National University of Music
26 Members of Jeonjangyeon Investigated for Subway Protest

Amid a dispute over allegations of assault and extortion threats during a drinking party between Major League Baseball (MLB) player Kim Ha-sung (28, San Diego Padres) and junior baseball player Lim Hye-dong (27), the police plan to summon Lim for investigation as early as this week. The police also notified soccer player Hwang Ui-jo (31, Norwich City), who is suspected of illegal filming, to appear next week.

Kim Ha-seong. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press conference on the 18th, "We plan to summon the accused (Lim Hye-dong) for investigation within this week," adding, "We are coordinating the schedule with Lim's side, and the investigation will take place soon."

The police imposed a travel ban on Lim on the 12th. Earlier, Kim filed a complaint with the police on the 27th of last month, claiming that he had been continuously extorted and threatened by Lim. The police summoned Kim as a complainant for questioning on the 6th and also summoned five witnesses for investigation.

The drinking party in question reportedly took place at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul, just before Kim's move to the United States in 2021. Kim's side stated that a physical altercation occurred while drinking with Lim, after which Lim demanded a settlement and received 400 million won, but continued to make unreasonable demands afterward. Lim appeared on YouTube broadcasts and other platforms, claiming that he was subjected to continuous assault by Kim beyond the drinking party incident.

Meanwhile, regarding the illegal filming allegations against Hwang, the police have notified him to appear next week. However, since Hwang is playing in the UK, it is uncertain whether he will comply with the police summons. A police official said, "We completed the digital forensic procedures on the 14th," adding, "We have requested his appearance, but there is a possibility that arrangements will be made through his lawyer."

The police investigation related to the recent allegations of admission corruption at Sookmyung Women's University and Seoul National University College of Music may expand to include more targets. Earlier, the police conducted a search and seizure at Seoul National University and related professors on the 12th. A police official said, "We plan to summon the subjects for investigation once the analysis of the seized items is complete," and added, "There is also a possibility that the investigation will expand to other universities." The police are investigating after detecting signs that a specific broker was involved in the admission corruption.

Meanwhile, regarding the illegal subway protests by the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (Jeonjangyeon), 26 people are currently under investigation. Jeonjangyeon has been holding silent protests at Hyehwa Station on Subway Line 4, and Seoul Metro regards this as an illegal protest and maintains a strong response policy.

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