Kim "Threatened with Extortion"...Sues Junior Baseball Player
Im Hyedong Reveals Identity..."Kim Hasang Assaulted While Drunk"
Joined Nexen as a Pitcher in 2015, Retired After 2 Years
Kim Ha-sung (28, San Diego Padres), who is active in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, is involved in a case where he sued a junior baseball player he played with in Korea, claiming "I was threatened and extorted for money." The accused, Im Hye-dong, has come forward to reveal his identity and refute Kim Ha-sung's claims.
(From the left) Kim Ha-seong, who is active in Major League Baseball, and former baseball player Lim Hye-dong. [Photo by TV Chosun News Screen Capture]
On the 7th, former baseball player Im appeared on TV Chosun, revealing his face and name. He joined Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) as a pitcher in 2015 but quit his playing career after two years and joined the management company to which Kim Ha-sung belonged, working as Kim Ha-sung's road manager in the United States.
Im claimed, "(Kim Ha-sung) habitually assaulted me whenever he drank alcohol," and added, "I have not contacted him for two years, and there was never any demand for money or anything like that."
He further stated that in December 2021, he received 400 million won from Kim Ha-sung's side as a settlement, but after Kim Ha-sung recently violated the confidentiality agreement, Im took legal action against him, and Kim Ha-sung then sued him for extortion and threats.
Former baseball player Lim Hye-dong, who used to play for Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes), released a photo (right) claiming he was assaulted by player Kim Ha-sung. [Photo by TV Chosun, Channel A news footage capture]
Im also released photos showing injuries on his face and neck as evidence of assault by Kim Ha-sung. In response, Kim Ha-sung's side denied the habitual assault, stating that the photos released by Im were unrelated to Kim Ha-sung.
With conflicting positions from both sides, the case is escalating into a battle over the truth. The police stated that they plan to investigate the accused and, if necessary, conduct a confrontation investigation between both parties.
Kim Ha-sung and junior Im Hye-dong in a battle over the truth: "Extortion and threats" vs. "Habitual assault"
Kim Ha-sung, an active player in the Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Earlier, Kim Ha-sung filed a complaint against Im Hye-dong last month at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on charges of extortion and attempted extortion.
Kim Ha-sung claims that two years ago, at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul, after drinking with Im Hye-dong, a physical altercation occurred, and then Im demanded a settlement payment. Kim Ha-sung's side alleges that even after Im received a large settlement, he continued to demand money.
Kim Ha-sung's agency, Summit Management, stated, "Kim Ha-sung has been continuously extorted and threatened by a junior player. He filed a complaint regarding this and appeared at the police station on the 6th to complete the complainant investigation."
Meanwhile, Kim Ha-sung played for the KBO League's Kiwoom Heroes until 2020 and entered MLB through the posting system in 2021. This year, he became the first Asian infielder to win the MLB Gold Glove Award.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
