Park Cheol-woo, hoping that the culture of violence disappears, “It won’t be easy, but if there were changes…”

KEPCO Park Cheol-woo. [사진 한국배구연맹]

“It won’t be fixed. It won’t be easy. But, I hope there will be a change this time.”

On the night of the 18th, I contacted Park Cheol-woo (36) of the professional volleyball KEPCO. He said, “You said you want to apologize, but 12 years have passed…” He said, “I was worried a lot. I consulted with my wife. I would like to know if it is a burden that I should carry. I wonder if the people who see the judgment will do it.”

On this day, Cheolwoo Park left a post on social media before the match with OK Financial Group, saying, “It’s really bloody. Is this the feeling that blood is flowing upside down?” Ahead of the Woori Card game on the 17th, KB Insurance Manager Lee Sang-yeol asked a question related to violence, “There was a causal retribution. So I feel like apologizing to the players. I am trying to show an exemplary figure as a senior in the volleyball world. It was a reaction to what I said.

Coach Sang-yeol Lee was punished for indefinite suspension after beating Park Cheol-woo as a coach for the men’s volleyball team in 2009. Two years later, he returned to the Korea Volleyball Federation as a member of the game management committee, and became the commanding tower for KB Insurance last year after becoming a university volleyball leader and commentator.

Park Cheol-woo volunteered for an interview after the OK Financial Group exhibition ended and said, “I heard that coach Lee told the player,’I think you are not right because of Park Cheol-woo’ even when he was a university leader.”

Park Chul-woo said, “Some people around me said,’Let’s go well.’ Even at the time of the incident, I even sued (it seems severe) so I dropped out. But it didn’t seem to have changed. I really didn’t want to…” Said. He said, “Before interviewing at the stadium, there were players who wanted to help (out of the players coached by Lee Sang-yeol). I thought it was something I had to take. Several players helped me out.”

Most of all, he was brave because he wanted to change his perception of violence. Park Cheol-woo explained the background by saying, “When I interviewed after the game, I did not hide and tried to become stronger. I didn’t want to be ashamed. It is said that (assault) has decreased since my work, but it has not changed.” He said, “I hope that (violent culture) will not disappear completely, but will gradually decrease.”

Reporter Kim Hyo-kyung [email protected]