Kim Yeon-kyung Speaks Out on IBK Discord Rumors... "Bright on the Outside but Rotten and Decayed Inside"

Internal Conflict Erupts in IBK Industrial Bank Volleyball Team, Coach and Director Dismissed

A post by volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung on her Twitter.
Photo by Kim Yeon-koung Twitter capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung recently expressed her frustration by posting a message that seemed to hint at discord surrounding the women's professional volleyball team IBK Industrial Bank of Korea.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Kim Yeon-koung posted on her Twitter, "On the outside, it looks glamorous and good, but in the end, it is rotten and festering... When the vessel is large, it can hold a lot, but I feel like we can't even fill that vessel fully... Change may feel frightening, but I think now is the time for all of us to change."

The post is presumed to reflect her opinion on recent events at IBK Industrial Bank of Korea. Fans were surprised that she left the message on Twitter, which is difficult to access from China, rather than her usual Instagram account.

Recently, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea revealed internal conflicts within the team, with starting setter Jo Song-hwa leaving the team due to discord with the coach, and coach Kim Sa-ni also announcing her resignation and leaving the team before returning on the 19th.

As the controversy grew, the club dismissed head coach Seo Nam-won and director Yoon Jae-seop simultaneously on the 21st. However, since the players and coach who caused the issues remained unharmed and the responsibility was placed on the coach and director, fans criticized the club.

The club issued a statement again on the 22nd, a day after dismissing the coach and director, announcing the voluntary release of the controversial player Jo Song-hwa. Regarding coach Kim Sa-ni, they clarified that she is a temporary acting coach, not responsible for the remainder of the season, attempting to ease the situation. Coach Kim is scheduled to lead the team as acting head coach starting from the match against Heungkuk Life on the 23rd.

However, criticism continues to grow, with voices saying, "It is unreasonable to assign the acting head coach position to a coach who irresponsibly left the team."