Kang Baek-ho Apologizes Over Olympic Gum Controversy, Vows to Become a Player Recognized as a Person

Baseball player Kang Baek-ho, who caused a controversy over his attitude.
[Photo by KBS Broadcast Screen Capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] Baseball player Kang Baek-ho, who caused a controversy over his attitude during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic baseball games, has issued an apology.

Previously, Kang Baek-ho faced criticism not only for his poor batting performance in the group preliminaries of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but also for his attitude during the bronze medal match against the Dominican Republic. In the top of the 8th inning, while trailing 6-10, he was caught on the broadcast screen chewing gum loudly. Commentator Chan-ho Park, who was covering the game, pointed out, "You should not show such behavior."

In response, Kang Baek-ho supported his team's comeback victory by hitting a two-RBI game-tying double in the 7th inning during the Samsung game in Suwon on the 15th, and afterward, he explained himself in an interview. He said, "As a representative player of Korea, I really wanted to win the game and shouted my best fighting spirit," adding, "There was not a single game I took lightly. I always did my best and worked hard."

Kang Baek-ho admitted his fault, saying, "It is true that I showed a behavior that should not have been shown at that time," and bowed his head. He also said, "It was an action worthy of criticism. I should have acted more cautiously, but I thought about it carelessly," and added, "I was somewhat frustrated and disappointed, which led to that scene," and apologized, saying, "I did not behave like that throughout the game. However, there is no excuse, and I am sorry."

Furthermore, Kang Baek-ho promised, "I will accept all the criticism from fans and show a lot of sincere behavior," and "I will strive to be a player recognized by fans not only through baseball but also as a person."