[Full Text] Hyun Joo-yeop on 'School Violence' Allegations: "Maliciously Fabricated... Ridiculous"

Former basketball player and broadcaster Hyun Joo-yeop. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Former basketball player and broadcaster Hyun Joo-yeop hinted at legal action on the 14th, stating that "there was absolutely no personal violence" in response to recent allegations of school violence.

On the same day, Hyun Joo-yeop posted on his Instagram, "The accuser recalled incidents from over 30 years ago in middle school and from 27 years ago during university. It is utterly absurd that they are exposing alleged facts that never happened and are vastly different from the truth by weaving together the memories of several people."

He added, "Looking back, I also often received group disciplinary training during my childhood, and at that time, strict discipline was indeed enforced not only in basketball but for all athletes. Since I was the team captain then, I did discipline juniors. Reflecting on it now, I feel very sorry and apologetic to those juniors. I take this opportunity to sincerely apologize."

He continued, "However, there was absolutely no personal violence. Most of the content revealed through the media is not true. These are maliciously fabricated statements to create an image of me as violent," he claimed.

Hyun Joo-yeop emphasized, "To protect my family who may be hurt by this incident and those who trust me, and to prevent any more unjust victims from arising due to such malicious slander, I intend to request an investigation to uncover the truth. Depending on the investigation results, I will also firmly hold those responsible accountable both civilly and criminally."

Earlier that day, a post titled "The Truth About School Violence of the Top Basketball Player H" was published on an online community.

The author wrote, "H’s mother was a national team basketball player, his father was a businessman, and H excelled remarkably in sports. With these three factors combined, he was an unparalleled figure with no equals above or below."

According to A, H not only gathered juniors in groups but also assaulted them with fists and feet, and when juniors made mistakes, he hit their heads with the corner of a janggi (Korean chess) board. He also forced juniors during individual practice to buy snacks or drinks with an unreasonably small amount of money.

A said, "I hope he offers a sincere apology and refrains from appearing on broadcasts or YouTube in the future." The post added, "This account is based on the painful experiences of eight people: seven juniors who could be contacted out of thirteen direct juniors and one player from K University."

Although A did not reveal H’s real name, mentioning his alma mater and family led netizens to speculate that it might be Hyun Joo-yeop.

Below is the full official statement from Hyun Joo-yeop.

Hello, this is Hyun Joo-yeop.

The accuser has summoned incidents from over 30 years ago in middle school and from 27 years ago during university to the present. It is utterly absurd that they are exposing alleged facts that never happened and are vastly different from the truth by weaving together the memories of several people.

Looking back, I also often received group disciplinary training during my childhood, and at that time, strict discipline was indeed enforced not only in basketball but for all athletes.

Since I was the team captain then, I did discipline juniors. Reflecting on it now, I feel very sorry and apologetic to those juniors. I take this opportunity to sincerely apologize.

However, there was absolutely no personal violence.

Most of the content revealed by K through the media is not true. I believe these are maliciously fabricated statements to create an image of me as violent.

It seems they think that if they present these as concrete facts, even if false, people will believe them.

Among those around me, some have advised me to explain in detail, while others have suggested that since people will not believe even if I explain, and explanations might appear pitiful, I should not respond to such malicious posts at all.

However, to protect my family who may be hurt by this incident and those who trust me, and to prevent any more unjust victims from arising due to such malicious slander, I intend to request an investigation to uncover the truth.

I ask earnestly that until the strict investigation by the authorities reveals the truth, you refrain from malicious reports based on speculation and instead pursue truthful and fair reporting.

Also, depending on the investigation results, I will firmly hold those responsible accountable both civilly and criminally.

Sincerely, Hyun Joo-yeop