WBC Drinking Party by Kim Kwanghyun, Lee Yongchan, and Jung Chulwon "Deeply Reflect"

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Professional baseball players Kim Kwang-hyun (35) of the SSG Landers, Lee Yong-chan (34) of the NC Dinos, and Jung Cheol-won (24) of the Doosan Bears admitted to drinking alcohol during the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and issued apologies.

Recently, allegations surfaced online that some members of the national team drank at entertainment establishments during the first round of the WBC held in Tokyo, Japan, last March. At that time, South Korea was eliminated in the first round after finishing third in Group B following a disappointing performance.

Player Kim Kwang-hyun [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 1st, Kim Kwang-hyun appeared in the dugout at Incheon SSG Landers Field ahead of the 2023 professional baseball Samsung Lions game and bowed his head, saying, "I made a foolish mistake by drinking alcohol during the WBC tournament."

He said, "Regardless of the reason, I sincerely apologize for acting thoughtlessly during an international competition."

He continued, "I wore the national team uniform and behaved thoughtlessly. I am truly sorry to all the fans who love baseball and to my seniors and juniors in the baseball community."

He added, "As a veteran of the team, I was short-sighted and regret not being able to control myself. I will sincerely cooperate with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) investigation and humbly accept the results."

SSG excluded Kim Kwang-hyun from the first-team roster that day.

Player Lee Yong-chan [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the same day, Lee Yong-chan apologized at Changwon NC Park before the home game against the Doosan Bears, saying, "I am sorry for disappointing the fans and all related parties."

He explained, "On the day before the rest day during the tournament, I had dinner with an acquaintance at a Korean restaurant in Tokyo, then moved to a nearby pub where I stayed for about two hours before returning directly to the accommodation."

He added, "Regardless of the reason, I deeply reflect on drinking alcohol during an international competition. I will sincerely comply with the KBO procedures and accept the results."

Jung Cheol-won also admitted to drinking and apologized at the same location that day. He said, "As a professional baseball player wearing the national team Taegeuk mark, I caused great disappointment to baseball fans and everyone."

He continued, "It was an inexcusable and reckless act. I am truly ashamed of myself. Since I wore the honorable Taegeuk mark, I should have acted more responsibly, but I betrayed the expectations and trust of the fans." He added, "I will sincerely cooperate with the KBO investigation and accept any punishment and reprimand."

Player Jeong Cheol-won [Photo by Yonhap News]

When asked whether there were female employees at the location, Jung Cheol-won denied it, saying, "There were definitely no women at the drinking party. We ate meals such as gimbap, sujebi, and tteokbokki while drinking."

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on May 31 that it had received statements from three teams, including players from the national team.

The KBO stated, "Players Kim Kwang-hyun, Lee Yong-chan, and Jung Cheol-won denied entering a snack bar the night before games during the WBC period, but admitted to visiting the establishment on March 7, the day they moved from Osaka to Tokyo, and on March 10, the day before the rest day."