Men's professional volleyball match. (This photo is not related to the incident) [Image source = Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Following the school violence controversy involving female professional volleyball players Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young of Heungkuk Life, allegations of 'school violence' have also surfaced in men's volleyball.
On the 13th, a post titled "I am a victim of school violence by a current male volleyball player" was uploaded on an online community.
The author, A, who said they were encouraged by the recent controversy surrounding female volleyball players' school violence cases, stated, "It happened 10 years ago, so I wanted to forget and move on, but the saying that violence cannot be justified even as time passes gave me strength."
A said, "In my first year of high school, it was routine for the third-year seniors to gather us and beat us. The incident happened in the summer of my first year. I was working out in the weight room when suddenly a third-year senior who was in the corner called me over, and I ran to him."
A went on to say that they were forced by the seniors to sing a song, and when they refused, they were assaulted.
A, who was kicked in the groin, was taken to the emergency room and underwent testicular repair surgery.
A, who said she gained courage from the recent school violence controversy in women's volleyball, revealed that she herself was a victim of school violence by a male volleyball player during middle and high school. [Image source = Online community capture]
However, the bullying did not decrease afterward. A said, "The perpetrators rather mocked me by calling me 'the guy with the burst balls,' and their parents defended them by saying, 'Our child is not that kind of person.'"
A expressed, "I deeply regret listening to my mother's advice to just quietly let it go. I wanted to become a volleyball player and never demanded any compensation or caused any controversy, but the painful memories from that time still do not fade."
Ultimately, A had to quit sports due to trauma, saying, "Even the coach at the time wanted to cover up the matter and urged us to quietly move on. I have lived with the regret for over 10 years thinking, 'I should have had the courage to tell everything back then.' I hope the perpetrators sincerely reflect and apologize."
In addition to the two players who severely assaulted A during high school, A also revealed another player who, during middle school, would lock them in a storage room and kick them for being one minute late.
Finally, A, who said they would provide surgical records if necessary, stated, "The moment I bring this up, anyone who has been in the volleyball community probably knows who I am and who the parties involved are. I am scared that this might just become a laughingstock talked about in the neighborhood, but I write this hoping many people will know the truth."
A's post recorded about 40,000 views within half a day of being uploaded. Netizens expressed outrage, saying, "They tormented people in the most cruel way," and "I hope this issue gets publicized."
Regarding this incident, a representative of the team to which the accused player belongs stated, "We are currently assessing the situation."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
