[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through a full investigation... "Apologize for causing a stir"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants officially apologized for some players' illegal visit to Taiwan's spring camp gambling center.

Lotte said on the 13th, "First of all, I apologize for causing concern with the team," adding, "We confirmed that Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Kim Se-min visited a place that is classified as illegal in the country."

"Regardless of the reason, we will immediately return home four players who committed acts contrary to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and the club's internal regulations," he said. "We will immediately report it to the KBO Clean Baseball Center, and the club will take corresponding measures depending on the results."

Lotte continued, "The club feels the current situation seriously. We will sternly deal with any additional confirmation through a full investigation. I also warned the entire team," he said.

Finally, Lotte bowed its head, saying, "I apologize again by raising the water."

On the 13th, Lotte's team was embroiled in a controversy over illegal gambling and sexual harassment in Taiwan, the site of its spring camp.

On this day, CCTV footage was released on multiple online communities showing some Lotte players entering what appeared to be an illegal gambling place in Taiwan and touching the body parts of a woman working there.

The date marked in the video is February 12th. A total of three players entered the stadium only in the released video. Among these, Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min are the main players. On top of that, according to Lotte's announcement, a total of four people, including Kim Dong-hyuk and Kim Se-min, visited illegal gambling sites.

According to CCTV footage, some players appeared to have touched a body part in the process of calling a woman who appeared to be an employee.

Controversy spread among baseball fans when the video was released. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is also aware of the situation and is closely watching it.

First of all, gambling is illegal in Taiwan. Gambling in any place with wealth is prohibited. Legal punishment is expected to be inevitable if the game hall is found to be an illegal gambling place.

In addition, since CCTV footage shows the appearance of touching a part of the body, controversy over alleged sexual harassment is also expected to be inevitable.

Meanwhile, Lotte's team began its first spring camp schedule in Tainan, Taiwan, on the 25th of last month. A total of 41 players participated in the Lotte camp, including 20 pitchers, 5 catchers, 9 infielders and 7 outfielders.

The first off-season training will focus on strengthening physical strength and technical training at the Tainan Asia-Pacific International Baseball Center by the 20th. During this period, the team plans to boost its sense of practice through two practice games with the Taiwanese professional baseball (CPBL) team.

Lotte's second training camp will be held in Miyazaki, Japan. It runs from February 21 to March 5. The Miyazaki camp will participate in the Koochun League for two consecutive years to check their sense of play. He will play a total of four games with the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) teams including Yomiuri, Seibu and Orix. It is also scheduled to face its sister club Chiba Lotte on March 1 in the Guchun League.

First of all, I apologize for the concern caused by the team-related content.

We confirmed that Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Kim Se-min, who were confirmed as a result of interviews with players and finding facts, visited places classified as illegal in the country.

Regardless of the reason, the four players who committed acts contrary to KBO and club regulations will be immediately returned home. In addition, we will immediately report it to the KBO Clean Baseball Center and the club will take corresponding measures depending on the results.

The club feels the current situation seriously, and we will sternly deal with additional confirmations through a full investigation. I also warned the entire squad.

I apologize again for causing a stir.

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*This content was translated by AI.