"Admitting What Wasn't Done, I Hate Playing Volleyball"... 'School Violence Controversy' Lee Jaeyoung Hints at Retirement

"I Stand Firm That It's Not Untrue"
"Hope You Support My Second Life"

Lee Jaeyoung, a former national volleyball player who was embroiled in school violence allegations, hinted at retiring from the sport.

On the 14th, Lee Jaeyoung posted on her fan cafe 'Jaeyoung Time,' saying, "Volleyball was such a joy that it was the happiest time above all else," and added, "But now, I am away from volleyball, which I loved so much and was my entire life."

She said, "It’s not that I didn’t have offers from overseas, but after Greece, I never considered playing abroad," and "I also lost my motivation." She continued, "The unexpected situation was very difficult, and for over three years now, I have struggled a lot with how to communicate my situation to the fans," revealing her feelings about the school violence controversy.

Volleyball player Lee Jaeyoung. [Image source=Korea Volleyball Federation]

Lee Jaeyoung stated, "Many people hoped I would reconcile over the controversy to make a comeback, but I did not want to return to volleyball by admitting to things I did not do," and "I apologize and reflect on my mistakes, but I often wondered what meaning it would have unless false facts were corrected and set right."

She added, "My heart and conviction that what is not true is not true have not changed," and said, "Volleyball is still not only filled with precious memories and good times. There were also painful times when I was harshly criticized because of someone’s words." This appears to be an indirect reference to conflicts with Kim Yeonkyung.

She went on, "At those times, I thought it was right to show through volleyball, so I lived a life thinking only about volleyball to be recognized solely for my skills," and "It was possible to get through every moment laughing and crying well because of the fans." She expressed her gratitude toward her fans.

Finally, Lee Jaeyoung said, "Please do not forget and always remember the good image of volleyball player Lee Jaeyoung so far and the image of me soaring magnificently," and "I ask for your support for Lee Jaeyoung’s second life. As a player, I have played volleyball without shame in front of the fans and worked hard, and I will live as a Lee Jaeyoung who is not ashamed in the future as well."

Lee Jaeyoung and Dayoung sisters Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Lee Jaeyoung and her twin sister Lee Dayoung were leading stars representing domestic professional volleyball. However, when school violence allegations surfaced in early 2021 and the controversy grew, they posted handwritten apologies on social media.

Afterwards, they were banned indefinitely from playing by their club and stripped of their national team qualifications by the Volleyball Association, effectively leaving the domestic professional league. In October of the same year, the two joined Greece’s PAOK Thessaloniki, but Lee Jaeyoung ended her contract with PAOK after a month due to injury and returned to Korea.

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