[서울신문] Heomin on KBO?… Kiwoom’s court struggle leaves a bad precedent

Club “Working disruption due to disciplinary action suspension from the chairman”
Precedent concerns undermining the values ​​of the professional baseball community

The aftermath of the Kiwoom incident continues as the professional baseball Kiwoom Heroes announced that it would be judged by the judicial authorities in opposition to the disciplinary action of the Korean Baseball Commission (KBO). The notice of Kiwoom’s legal response raises concerns as it leaves a bad precedent for the league along with the KBO’s decline in the future.

On the 28th, KBO imposed a severe warning on the club and head of Kim Chi-hyun, and imposed sanctions on the board of directors Heo Min for two months of suspension. Initially, the independent organization, the Reward and Punishment Committee, decided to punish severe warnings. However, the reason Governor Jung Un-chan reinforced the punishment for Chairman Huh to two months of suspension of work after contemplation was because he judged that the case was serious.

Kiwoom clarified his intention to take legal action against this. This is because Chairman Huh’s blanks lead to paralysis in handling issues such as appointment of managers and player contracts, which disrupts the operation of the club.

Kiwoom’s behavior is resonating with baseball players in that other clubs can follow a similar path against the KBO’s decision in the future. This is the first time he has expressed his intention to fight in court in response to the disciplinary action of the KBO. KBO is clarifying a strong response policy in that if he condone or surrender Kiwoom’s actions, it can destroy both his authority and the league order.

KBO official said on the 30th, “If you want to go to court, I will do so as much as I can,” and emphasized, “We will clearly hold additional responsibility for the downfall of the league caused by this.” The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association, which recently recruited Yang Eui-ji (NC Dinos) as chairman, strongly criticized Kiwoom’s move, saying, “It is an issue that should be considered until the exit from the league”.

In the meantime, KBO and clubs have tried to protect the values ​​necessary for the community with more severe punishment than the general public for the baseball players who caused the controversy, such as immediately expelling the player who caused the controversy on social media and withdrawing the nomination of the player with a history of school violence. However, there are criticisms that Kiwoom is undermining the values ​​that everyone wants to protect by dropping the league’s moral level while choosing to fight for court instead of reflection to protect Chairman Heo.

Reporter Ryu Jae-min [email protected]