[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Choi Chung-yeon (23), a pitcher for the professional baseball team Samsung Lions, has been suspended from playing for a total of 150 games due to a drunk driving violation.
The KBO (Commissioner Chung Un-chan) held a disciplinary committee meeting on the 11th at the Baseball Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to deliberate on Choi Chung-yeon, who caused controversy due to drunk driving.
On that day, the committee imposed a penalty of a 50-game suspension, a fine of 3 million won, and 80 hours of community service on Choi Chung-yeon in accordance with Article 151 of the KBO regulations concerning conduct damaging to dignity. Following the committee's punishment, Samsung imposed its own disciplinary measures, including a 100-game suspension and a fine of 6 million won.
Accordingly, Choi Chung-yeon will receive a total suspension of 150 games, a fine of 9 million won, and 80 hours of community service. Since the 2020 KBO League season consists of 144 games per team, Choi will not be able to participate in any games this season.
Previously, Choi Chung-yeon was caught in a drunk driving checkpoint around 2 a.m. on the 24th while driving in downtown Daegu and was excluded from the spring training camp. His blood alcohol concentration at the time was 0.036%.
Meanwhile, Samsung is facing difficulties in bullpen management due to Choi Chung-yeon's drunk driving incident.
Pitcher Oh Seung-hwan (38), who signed last year, is also currently suspended for the first 30 games of the 2020 season due to overseas gambling.
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