KCC, Two Officials from Korea Gas Corporation Indicted... "Defamation Based on False Claims, Secondary Harm Without Apology"

*This content was translated by AI.

Professional basketball team Busan KCC has filed a criminal complaint against two officials from Daegu Korea Gas Corporation on charges of defamation.

On the 24th, KCC announced that it had reported two officials from Daegu Korea Gas Corporation to the Seocho Police Station in Seoul on charges of "defamation through publications" (Article 309, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Act).

KCC further explained that this measure was taken because Korea Gas Corporation seriously damaged KCC's reputation during its appeal against the Korean Basketball League (KBL) disciplinary action regarding Lee Geon-ah's taxes, and subsequently failed to respond to KCC's demands for an explanation and apology.

Previously, it was reported that Korea Gas Corporation made claims to the effect that "KCC exerted influence over the KBL board to unfairly shift the comprehensive income tax that Lee Geon-ah should have borne."

In response, KCC had requested an explanation and apology from Korea Gas Corporation on the 10th, stating that the claim was factually incorrect and damaged the club's reputation.

Regarding Lee Geon-ah's tax issue, KCC explained that "it was a matter decided by the consensus of all 10 clubs through normal procedures, and all clubs must comply. The response was based on common sense that those who violate this should face appropriate disciplinary action."

However, according to KCC, Korea Gas Corporation did not convey any clear explanation or intention to apologize. Instead, it merely stated in a letter sent to KCC on the 11th titled "Regarding the Application for Injunction Pending the Outcome of the Ongoing Case" that it "regrets some media reports."

KCC stated, "This attitude can only be seen as an attempt to sidestep the essence of the matter and constitutes secondary harm to the club."

KCC also pointed out that even after Korea Gas Corporation's claims were confirmed to be factually incorrect through subsequent media verification, Korea Gas Corporation failed to correct its previous stance.

KCC has consistently maintained that if no explanation or apology is provided by Korea Gas Corporation, it will take all necessary measures to restore the club's reputation and rights and prevent the foundation of professional basketball from being shaken.

It further explained that it has conveyed on multiple occasions that the responsibility for this lies with Korea Gas Corporation.

KCC said, "Through this indictment, we hope that Korea Gas Corporation's false claims and actions will be corrected," and added, "We sincerely hope that professional basketball will continue to develop further in an environment where common sense and reason are respected and sportsmanship thrives."

Meanwhile, the KBL decided in 2024 not to extend Lee Geon-ah's contract as a naturalized player but to change it to a general contract like that of existing foreign players. Accordingly, it was resolved that the club that finally signed the foreign player would bear the income tax for that year. In this process, the KBL board decided that the club signing Lee Geon-ah in the next contract would bear the comprehensive income tax for Lee Geon-ah's tenure with KCC from January to June 2024. However, Korea Gas Corporation did not comply with this decision.

As a result, the KBL imposed a disciplinary fine of 30 million won on Korea Gas Corporation and subsequently stripped it of its first-round draft pick in the next season's rookie draft. Korea Gas Corporation filed an application for an injunction pending the outcome of the case in protest.

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*This content was translated by AI.