Hanwha's Ha Juseok Suspended License for Drunk Driving... Expected 70-Game Suspension

Caught on the 19th... Team reported to KBO on the 20th

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Hanwha Eagles infielder Ha Juseok was caught driving under the influence and received a 'license suspension' penalty.

On the 20th, the Hanwha team stated, "A player belonging to the team was caught in a DUI checkpoint around 5:50 a.m. on the 19th at an unspecified location in Dong-gu, Daejeon," adding, "The player had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.078% and received a license suspension penalty." The player named by the team is Ha Juseok.

After recognizing Ha Juseok's DUI, the Hanwha team reported the incident to the KBO Clean Baseball Center that afternoon. Following procedures, once the KBO issues a disciplinary action, the Hanwha team plans to discuss its own disciplinary measures regarding Ha Juseok.

The KBO has repeatedly declared the strengthening of DUI punishments. The 2022 KBO Baseball Regulations subdivide DUI sanctions into four categories. For simple detection, penalties include suspension from participation for more than two months, suspension from 50 or more games, or fines exceeding 5 million KRW.

If a player is confirmed to have driven under the influence while refusing a breathalyzer test, penalties include suspension from participation for more than three months, suspension from 70 or more games, or fines exceeding 7 million KRW. In cases involving traffic accidents, the KBO imposes disqualification for more than one year.

In June, the disciplinary levels were further subdivided and strengthened as follows: license suspension results in a 70-game suspension; license revocation results in a one-year disqualification; a second DUI offense results in a five-year disqualification; and three or more DUI offenses result in permanent disqualification.

Ha Juseok, whose license has been suspended, is expected to receive a '70-game suspension' penalty from the KBO.