Park Seok-min, one of the confirmed players of NC Dinos, a professional baseball player who was caught up in the controversy over 'violation of quarantine rules', opened his mouth.
In an apology released through the NC club today (14th), Park Seok-min said, "I sincerely apologize for causing great concern to many people over the past few days. It is right to wait for the disposition," he said.
Park Seok-min said that he would humbly take the disciplinary action, but he wanted to clarify the route of the corona 19 infection, where various rumors and speculations are coming out.
Three NC players who were confirmed with Corona 19 are suspected of being infected while having a drink with outsiders at an expeditionary dorm in Seoul.
A lot of criticism from NC players is pouring in because the professional baseball league was suspended due to the occurrence of a confirmed case in the squad.
Park Seok-min said that after arriving at the dormitory in Seoul past 10 pm on the 5th, Hee-dong Kwon, Myeong-gi Lee, and Min-woo Park gathered in their room to eat tteokbokki and other snacks.
At this time, an acquaintance staying in the same dormitory saw the club bus parked in front of the dormitory and contacted him, and he explained that he was careless and said, "Now that I am with my younger brothers, let's go to the room and say hi."
Park Seok-min ordered a set of chimaek (chicken beer) through room service, and said that he drank 3 bottles of beer from the set and 4 cans of beer from a convenience store.
After that, the acquaintances went out first, and the younger players went back and forth in the room, Park Seok-min explained.
This acquaintance contacted Park Seok-min on the 8th that he had tested positive for Corona 19, and Park Seok-min said that he immediately informed the club about the matter.
Park Seok-min apologized, "I and my junior have tested positive and are currently receiving treatment at the center. In the strict situation of the spread of the corona, the part gathered separately is not enough with any excuses." He apologized, "It was rash. I'm sorry."
He continued, "Seeing innocent colleagues, family, baseball fans, and other team players and officials suffering because of rumors that are spreading indiscriminately, I apologize because I think it's right for me to apologize."
Park Seok-min said that he also stated the above in the epidemiological investigation by the quarantine authorities, and said, "I was embarrassed because there were questions about the epidemiological investigation in various places, but I answered the questions truthfully."
He further emphasized, "Besides the above, there have been no immoral situations floating around, risking the lives of all four of us as players."
Due to this incident, Park Min-woo has decided to return his qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics national team.
The NC team said, "Park Min-woo has announced that he will drop his qualifications from the Olympic team due to responsibility for the situation and the current injury (finger)."
NC decided to exclude Kim Jong-moon's duties until the facts become clear.
(Photo = Yonhap News)