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Seo Joon-Won: A Complete Ban from the Korean Baseball World
Key Details of the Case
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| KBO Announcement | The decision to disqualify Seo Joon-Won from all KBO-related activities, including playing, coaching, and front office positions, was made by the KBO Punishment Committee in adherence to Article 151 of the KBO Convention on March 14. |
| March 28, 2023 Suspension | KBO issued a suspension under Article 152 for Seo Joon-Won due to minors and drunk driving offenses. These sanctions were based on incidents in August 2022 and additional legal issues in May 2023, confirming Seo Joon-Won’s actions warranted severe disciplinary action. |
Career Background
| Year/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| High School Career | During his time at Gyeongnam High School, Seo Joon-Won was renowned for his high-speed fastballs exceeding 150 km/h. In 2018, he was hailed as the best high school baseball player, earning the title ‘High School Choi Dong-Won.’ |
| Professional Career | Signed by the Lotte Giants, Seo Joon-Won began his professional journey with a significant signing bonus of 350 million won. However, his professional career was marred by injuries and poor performance, as evidenced by his 2022 season stats: 132 games, 318 innings, 15 wins, 23 losses, and a 5.56 ERA. |
| 2023 Season | Before the 2023 season, heinous allegations of sexual offenses involving minors surfaced, dramatically altering the trajectory of his career. Accused of soliciting inappropriate photos from a minor met on social media, the scandal rocked the baseball community. |
| Off-Court Issues | These allegations greatly affected his standing in the sport, prompting Lotte Giants to release him. Additionally, the KBO hastily suspended him, and prestigious titles and accolades, such as the Choi Dong-Won commemorative project, were stripped. |
| Legal Consequences | On March 28, 2023, the verdict handed down to Seo Joon-Won included a 3-year prison sentence, 5-year probation, a 40-hour probation program, 120 hours of community service, and a 5-year ban from employment at welfare facilities for the disabled. His actions, including drunk driving in May 2023, accelerated the legal penalties. |
| Appeals and Final Judgment | In subsequent court hearings, appeals pending the prosecution’s arguments were upheld. The September 2023 trial further affirmed the initial sentence. |
By Kim Young-rok, reporter, [email protected]