"Hit in the Groin and Testicle Sutured" After a Woman, a Man Also Injured... Volleyball World Tarnished by 'School Violence'

Female volleyball players Lee Jaeyoung and Dayoung, followed by male volleyball players Song Myeonggeun and Shim Kyungseop also admit to abuse allegations

Shim Kyung-seop and Song Myung-geun (left photo), Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young (right photo) who admitted involvement in past school violence [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Recently, female professional volleyball twin sisters Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young (25) shocked the public with school violence controversies, and now male professional volleyball players Song Myung-geun and Shim Kyung-seop have admitted to allegations of school violence as well.

On the 13th, OK Financial Group's male professional volleyball left hitter Song Myung-geun (28) and Shim Kyung-seop (30) acknowledged and apologized for the recent school violence allegations.

On the 13th, OK Financial Group issued a statement saying, "We sincerely apologize to our fans for disappointing you regarding the school violence involving our players Song Myung-geun and Shim Kyung-seop."

The club stated, "We confirmed that Song Myung-geun had an inappropriate conflict with a victim during his time at Songrim High School, and that surgical treatment support and an apology were provided at that time. He tried to meet the victim directly to apologize again, but since contact could not be made, he sent a message expressing his remorse."

It continued, "Shim Kyung-seop also admitted to verbal abuse and physical violence toward a victim during his time at Songrim Middle School and expressed his apology."

The club added, "We take this situation very seriously. We will establish measures to prevent recurrence and strive to manage players thoroughly through continuous education," bowing once again.

The writer, who said they gained courage from the recent school violence controversy in women's volleyball, revealed that they themselves were a victim of school violence by a male volleyball player during middle and high school. Photo by Online Community Capture

Earlier that day, a post titled "I am a victim of school violence by a current male volleyball player" was uploaded on an online community.

The author, who claimed to have suffered school violence from a male professional volleyball player during middle and high school, said, "In the first year of high school, it was routine for seniors in the third year to gather us and beat us. Even now, my friends remember that life as our daily reality."

According to the post, the victim was forced by seniors in the third year to sing during their first year of high school. When refusing, the victim was assaulted. After being kicked in the groin, the victim was rushed to the emergency room and underwent testicular repair surgery.

However, the victim said, "Even afterward, they mocked me by calling me 'the guy with the burst XX,' and the perpetrators' parents defended them, saying 'Our child is not like that.'"

The victim added, "Even the coach wanted to cover it up quietly, but I have regretted for over 10 years that I should have spoken up bravely back then," and said, "I hope the perpetrators sincerely reflect and apologize."

Mr. A also revealed another player who, during middle school, locked latecomers in a storage room and kicked them if they were one minute late.

The post recorded about 40,000 views within half a day and spread widely alongside the recent school violence controversy involving female volleyball twins Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young. Eventually, the club quickly acknowledged the situation and bowed their heads.

A club official said, "Discussions about their disciplinary actions are currently underway."

Lee Jaeyoung and Lee Dayoung are talking at the media day held at the Heungkuk Life Training Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, following the recent school violence controversy involving female professional volleyball players Lee Da-young and Lee Jae-young of Heungkuk Life, male players Song Myung-geun and Shim Kyung-seop have also been identified as perpetrators, shocking the volleyball community.

On the 10th, a post was published on an online community claiming to have been a victim of school violence by the Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young twins.

The author, who said they played together with the twins in elementary and middle school volleyball teams, revealed, "If the twins didn’t like someone, they insulted their parents with curses like 'your XX, XX,' and when errands were refused, they threatened with a knife," and "They often collected money, pinched stomachs, slapped mouths, and gathered us to hit our heads."

As the controversy spread, the twins issued a handwritten apology stating, "We deeply apologize to those who suffered due to our wrongful words and actions during school days," and "We feel deep remorse and will reflect and restrain ourselves."

Heungkuk Life, the club they belong to, also bowed their heads in a statement, saying, "The two players sincerely regret their wrongful behavior during school days. We sincerely apologize to the victims who were hurt by their actions."

A post uploaded by a classmate who claimed to have been subjected to violence during school days by national women's volleyball team players Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young. / Photo by Online Community Capture

However, criticism against them intensified afterward. Advertisements and broadcasts featuring the twins were consecutively made private or deleted from replays, and a petition appeared on the Blue House National Petition Board demanding their permanent expulsion from the volleyball community.

Currently, Korean professional volleyball is in panic due to the successive school violence controversies. The Korea Volleyball Federation plans to collaborate with the Korea Volleyball Association and its affiliated elementary, middle, high school, and university leagues to jointly conduct campaigns and find educational measures to eradicate violence.

However, some voices argue that these volleyball players’ school violence should be seen as an extension of the deeply rooted violent culture in the sports community, causing public opinion to grow increasingly cold.