[Exclusive] Doosan's 'Kim Yuseong Withdrawal' Truck Protest Begins... Heading to Jamsil Baseball Stadium

"Withdrawal of Nomination, Call for Wise Decision"
Kim Yuseong School Violence Controversy... Nomination Withdrawal from NC Possible

Doosan Bears fans will intensify their "truck protest" on the 4th, urging the withdrawal of Kim Yuseong's designation. The truck protest is scheduled to take place at Doosan Tower in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, and Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Photo by Reader Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "We are officially starting the campaign to withdraw Kim Yuseong's draft pick from today!"

A truck protest demanding the withdrawal of Kim Yuseong, who was drafted by the Doosan Bears, will begin on the 4th. Kim Yuseong has been involved in controversy due to his 'school violence record' and is currently facing trial. The NC Dinos had already withdrawn his draft pick in August 2020. However, on the 15th of last month, during the '2023 KBO Rookie Draft,' Doosan selected Kim Yuseong, and fans are now strongly urging the withdrawal of his draft pick due to his status as a school violence perpetrator.

A Doosan fan preparing the truck protest told Asia Economy, "Starting today, we plan to conduct truck protests near Dongdaemun Doosan Tower, Bundang Doosan Tower, and Jamsil Baseball Stadium." The truck protest involves attaching a digital billboard to a truck and using it to demand certain actions from the company. The trucks move around various locations, making it easier for the protest message to gain public attention. From a corporate perspective, there may be concerns about damage to brand image.

Looking at the truck revealed by Doosan fans on this day, the front of the truck displays phrases such as 'School Violence OUT' and 'Doosan Bears School Violence Perpetrator Draft Withdrawal Demand Protest.' On the side, phrases like 'Doosan Bears, listen to the voices of the fans' and '#DoosanBears' are printed. On the rear of the truck, the phrase 'From all Doosan Bears fans demanding the withdrawal of the school violence perpetrator's draft pick' is written.

The truck protest is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on the 4th at Dongdaemun Doosan Tower in Seoul, followed by Bundang Doosan Tower, Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 5th, and on the 7th at Dongdaemun Doosan Tower and Jamsil Baseball Stadium (Doosan vs Samsung).

Rear view of the truck protest against the naming withdrawal of Kim Yuseong. The phrase "Please withdraw the naming of the school violence perpetrator" is written. Photo by Reader Provided

Fans are still urging the withdrawal of Kim Yuseong. A Doosan fan in his late 30s said, "We want a decision from the KBO, which advocates for a clean Bears," adding, "I hope they consider the victims who inevitably suffer when baseball games are broadcast."

Another Doosan fan in his 20s emphasized, "If a player whose draft pick was withdrawn by another team is involved, doesn't that mean the issue is serious?" and "Above all, the victim and the player failed to reach an agreement. We expect a wise decision from Doosan."

This criticism from fans is interpreted as a harsh response to Doosan's attitude that players can be employed despite moral issues if they have outstanding skills. Prior to the truck protest, Doosan fans sent a condolence wreath to the Doosan Bears with messages such as "Doosan Bears, secondary perpetrators of school violence" and "Doosan Bears support school violence."

Kim Yu-seong at the time of being selected as the first pick by the NC Dinos. Photo by NC

Previously, Kim Yuseong was first drafted by the NC Dinos, a local team, in 2020 when he was a senior at Gimhae High School. However, after the draft, the victim's side publicized Kim Yuseong's school violence allegations online. According to media reports, Kim Yuseong was referred to the school's school violence committee in 2017 and received a five-day suspension. In January 2018, he received a reconciliation recommendation from the Changwon District Court but failed to reach an agreement with the victim, resulting in orders to attend 20 hours of psychological therapy and 40 hours of community service. As the fact that he was a school violence perpetrator became known, fans poured out strong criticism, and NC eventually withdrew his draft pick.

Afterward, Kim Yuseong chose to attend Korea University to continue playing baseball but was suspended from competition for one year by the Korea Baseball Softball Association and was unable to pitch last year. Kim Tae-ryong, the general manager, met with reporters right after the '2023 KBO Rookie Draft' and emphasized regarding the background of drafting Kim Yuseong, who has a school violence record, "We thought about it a lot. I understand that the player himself has reflected a lot." He added, "We have not yet fully grasped the situation. Since we drafted him, we will understand the situation going forward and consider how to respond."