'Kim Ha-seong Extortion Allegation' Im Hye-dong Under Police Investigation for 10 Hours

Im Hye-dong (27), a former professional baseball player who was accused of threatening Kim Ha-sung (28, San Diego Padres) playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, underwent about 10 hours of police investigation.

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 Im around 2 p.m. on the 20th on charges of extortion and defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act. Upon finishing the investigation around midnight on the 21st, Im told reporters, "I cooperated sincerely with the investigation and will disclose detailed information later." He did not answer questions about whether he continuously demanded money or how much settlement money he requested.

Earlier, when appearing at the police station, Im told reporters, "There are parts where the facts differ clearly from Kim Ha-sung's side, and I will sincerely clarify those parts through today's police investigation."

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

They also claimed that Im continued to demand money even after receiving nearly 400 million won in settlement money. It is alleged that Im used Kim's status as an alternative service worker in arts and sports at the time to continue the threats.

On the other hand, Im claims 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, additionally filed a defamation complaint against Im with the police.

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