*This content was translated by AI.
Former professional baseball player Lim Chang-yong (50), who was brought to trial on fraud charges and received a suspended sentence in the appeal court, bowed his head to fans and junior players in the baseball community, expressing sincere apologies and remorse. He repeatedly emphasized his determination to help junior players in the field of baseball.
According to a report by NEWS1, the 3rd Criminal Division of Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Il-soo) on the 23rd overturned the original sentence of eight months' imprisonment in Lim Chang-yong's appeal trial for fraud charges and instead sentenced him to eight months in prison with a three-year suspended sentence and 80 hours of social service.
Lim was indicted in December 2019 for borrowing gold worth 150 million won from Mr. A under the pretext of casino gambling funds at a hotel in the Philippines and failing to repay 80 million won of that amount. The first-instance court sentenced him to eight months in prison, but the appeal court judged the sentence to be somewhat severe, considering that Lim admitted to all the crimes, paid part of the victim's losses, deposited 40 million won as criminal collateral during the trial, and took into account fairness with the established habitual gambling conviction.
Immediately after the appeal court's sentencing, Lim Chang-yong released a video through his YouTube channel ('Changyong Bulpae-Lim Chang-yong'), directly conveying his feelings and intentions of self-reflection. In the video, he confessed, "I am proud to have done better than anyone on the baseball field, but one mistake of gambling in my private life followed me like a tag." He added, "I went through such a difficult time that I couldn't even face fans and senior and junior players, and I reflected deeply."
He also honestly revealed the circumstances that led him to gambling. He said, "What started as travel expenses turned into winning money, giving me a sense of fun and dopamine, which became the seed of misfortune." He strongly urged juniors and fans, saying, "If you don't have strong self-control, it's better not to touch it at all. Public figures should avoid places near gambling halls."
Lim Chang-yong continued, "I will never gamble again, and I sincerely apologize. I will strive to ensure such an incident never happens again." Finally, he bowed his head once more, saying, "I will do my best to help junior players by mobilizing all the experience and knowledge I have. I am truly sorry."
Meanwhile, Lim Chang-yong began his professional baseball career in 1995 and retired after the 2018 season. He also played for the national team and was named one of the 'Legend 40' selected by the KBO to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
Lim Chang-yong, who recorded outstanding achievements with 130 wins, 86 losses, 19 holds, 258 saves, and an ERA of 3.45 in 760 career games in the KBO, also played for five seasons from 2008 to 2012 in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), appearing in 238 games with 11 wins, 13 losses, 128 saves, and an ERA of 2.09. In the 2013 season, he played for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB) in six games, recording no wins or losses and an ERA of 5.40.
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*This content was translated by AI.
