'Kim Ha-seong Extortion Allegation' Im Hye-dong Appears at Police Station: "There Are Parts That Differ from the Facts"

Kim Ha-sung (28, San Diego Padres), who plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, was accused of assault and extortion threats by junior baseball player Lim Hye-dong (27), who appeared at the police station on the 20th.

Baseball player Im Hye-dong, who is accused of extortion and defamation, is appearing for questioning at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the afternoon of the 20th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul summoned and investigated Lim in the afternoon on charges of extortion and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.

Upon appearing at the police station, Lim told reporters, "There are parts where the facts differ clearly from Kim Ha-sung’s side, and I will sincerely explain those parts during today’s police investigation." He added, "I will disclose answers to questions from the press after the investigation is over, through a press conference or similar means." He did not respond to questions about whether he planned to file a lawsuit against Kim, whether he continued to demand money, or how much settlement money he requested.

Earlier, Kim filed a complaint with the police, stating that after a physical altercation with Lim at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul, in February 2021, Lim continuously demanded settlement money. Kim’s side also stated that during the time when gatherings of five or more people were banned due to COVID-19, Kim, Lim, and others held a drinking party with more than five people, violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and that money was demanded under the pretext of settlement fees.

They also claimed that Lim continued to demand money even after receiving nearly 400 million won in settlement money. Lim allegedly used the fact that Kim was serving alternative military service as an art and sports personnel at the time to continue threatening him.

On the other hand, Lim maintains that he was unilaterally and continuously assaulted by Kim. In response, Kim’s side denied the claim, stating, "The allegation of unilateral and habitual assault is completely untrue," and on the 11th, they filed an additional complaint against Lim for defamation with the police.

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