Kim Ha-sung (28) was eventually absent from the ceremony. It was the last ceremony to celebrate Kim Ha-sung, Korea’s first major league gold glove winner, but he did not show up.
On the 8th, the Ilguhoe held the “2023 Nutrition Day Ilgu Award” ceremony at the Rivera Hotel Versailles Hall in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
On this day, the Ilguhoe selected Kim Ha-sung as the winner of the Special Achievement Award.
This season has been a meaningful year for Kim Ha-sung. He played 152 games and recorded a batting average of 0.260 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and 38 steals, showing off his advanced skills in offense and defense, creating a career-high season.
Most of all, Kim Ha-sung stood out in defense, setting a new record for the most stolen bases stolen in a single season by a Korean Major Leaguer. He showed off his meticulous defensive skills by playing second baseman, shortstop and third baseman. Raising his value as a utility player, Kim won the National League Gold Glove in the utility player category. This is a milestone. He is the first Korean to receive the gold glove award as an Asian infielder.
And gold is back. After returning to Korea last October, Kim spent his busy days attending official press conferences, broadcasting activities, and various award ceremonies.
However, there has been a brake on his actions. Recently, a battle over the truth of the assault broke out. 파워볼게임
The incident happened two years ago. Kim Ha-sung had a scuffle with Lim Hye-dong, then a junior player at Kiwoom, and the junior player demanded settlement money under the pretext of assault. Kim Ha-sung paid a considerable amount of settlement money, but when Lim Hye-dong continuously demanded money and valuables, Kim Ha-sung sued him.
Summit Management, Kim Ha-sung’s agency, issued a statement on the 7th and said, “As reported, Kim Ha-sung was constantly blackmailed and threatened by a junior player. He filed a complaint against this and attended the police station yesterday (6th) to complete the investigation of the complainant.”
Then Im Hye-dong stepped up. “I was habitually assaulted,” he claimed. He claimed this through a YouTube channel on the afternoon of July 7.
The two sides are sharply opposed, leading to a battle of truth.
Kim Ha-sung didn’t attend the ceremony after much thought. “I thought about it until the morning and announced my absence,” said an official at the ceremony. The first event is the last award ceremony for overseas players. This is because only the Golden Glove ceremony hosted by the KBO is left. This is the last time for Kim Ha-sung to attend an official event, but he will not be able to attend it.
The event was briefly twisted due to Kim Ha-sung’s absence. When Jeong Geun-woo, who was in charge of the award, tried to take the podium, the hosts blocked it. It seemed that only Kim Ha-sung, the winner, was going to announce and move on to another award.
When Jung Geun-woo felt awkward after going up to the podium, the host asked Jung Geun-woo for his understanding and made him come back to the stage. Although he failed to present the award, Jung Geun-woo delivered a message of support, saying, “I received Gold Glove as a utility this season, but I hope I get it as a shortstop next year.”
The meeting with his teacher also failed, leaving him disappointed. On the same day, Seongnam Daewon Middle School coach Park Soo-soo won the Leader Award, a teacher who coached Kim Ha-sung during Bucheon Middle School.
The meeting did not take place due to Kim Ha-sung’s absence, and coach Park applauded Kim Ha-sung’s performance, saying, “I’m so proud and proud.”
After the award ceremony, Kim Ha-sung’s side issued an official statement. Choi Sun-jae, Kim Ha-sung’s legal representative, said, “It is completely untrue that Kim Ha-sung unilaterally and habitually assaulted his opponent,” adding, “If the opponent’s allegations are true, file a formal complaint.” Kim Ha-sung said, “I will sincerely reveal his innocence, and I will thoroughly hold him accountable for false accusations.”
Kim Ha-sung, who came back after a happier season than any other year, was expected to celebrate the end of the year amid much celebration. However, he is having a dark end of the year as he encounters the reef called “battle between assault and truth.”