The Lotte Giants’ spring training camp in Tainan, Taiwan, intended as a crucial preseason tune-up, has erupted into controversy just a week before its scheduled conclusion. On February 13, 2026, a series of CCTV videos emerged online showing three Giants players—Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and Kim Dong-hyuk—at a local game center. What began as a seemingly innocuous off-day outing has quickly spiraled into a storm of allegations, with accusations of illegal gambling and sexual harassment now swirling around the team.
The Giants, one of Korea’s most storied professional baseball franchises, kicked off their first spring training camp in Tainan on January 25, 2026. Spirits were high as the squad looked to rebound from a middling previous season and build momentum for the KBO League campaign ahead. But as the camp neared its end, the focus shifted sharply from baseball to off-field issues after the controversial footage went viral across Korean social media and online communities.
The videos, widely circulated on February 13, depict the three players inside a game center filled with monitors and gaming machines. Observers quickly identified Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min—both key infielders for the Giants—alongside pitcher Kim Dong-hyuk. The footage raised immediate suspicions of illegal gambling, a serious infraction under both league and team rules. Even more troubling, one video appears to show a player touching a female employee’s body, prompting allegations of sexual harassment and igniting outrage among fans and commentators alike.
"The three players in question did visit the game center," a Giants club official confirmed, according to multiple reports. The official continued, "We are currently conducting interviews and verifying the facts. We will also check the details of the players’ actions." The club’s swift acknowledgment of the visit did little to quell the storm, as online speculation and criticism intensified with each passing hour.
According to Article 4, the players claimed not to have known the establishment was operating illegally, having visited on a rest day. The club, however, is not taking the matter lightly. "The players are reflecting on their actions, and the club is thoroughly investigating the situation. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken," the official stated. The Giants also announced plans to report the incident to the KBO Clean Baseball Center once their internal investigation concludes.
The situation has left the team in a precarious position. As of February 13, there has been no formal police report or criminal charge filed in Taiwan, and the legal status of the game center itself remains unclear. Still, the incident’s potential repercussions loom large, both for the players involved and the club’s reputation. The KBO League, which has made significant efforts to promote a "clean baseball" image, now faces renewed scrutiny over player conduct during overseas training camps.
The controversy has also sparked intense debate among fans and within the baseball community. Many supporters expressed disappointment and embarrassment, with one fan commenting, "It’s shameful that actions like this are affecting the reputation of hard-working players." Another added, "The gambling is bad enough, but the sexual harassment allegations are even worse. The KBO needs to set an example." The phrase "stealing tofu," a local Taiwanese slang term for sexual harassment, was used in online posts to describe the incident, reflecting the cultural and legal seriousness of the allegations.
Social media reactions have ranged from calls for strict punishment to demands for a thorough and transparent investigation. The Giants have emphasized their commitment to a fact-based, rapid response. "We have relayed the situation to our local contacts in Taiwan to gather information as quickly as possible. We will respond appropriately, based on the facts and the seriousness of the matter," a team spokesperson said.
As the videos continued to circulate, further questions emerged regarding the legality of the game center and whether any additional players were involved. The club confirmed it is checking for any other participants beyond the three named. The KBO Clean Baseball Center, established to uphold the league’s integrity, is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and may open its own inquiry depending on the club’s findings.
For the Giants, the timing could hardly be worse. The first spring camp, which began on January 25, had featured positive moments, including a special meal prepared by a Lotte Hotel chef for the team. Now, however, the focus has shifted almost entirely to damage control and the possible fallout from the scandal. The club’s management faces the dual challenge of protecting the organization’s reputation while ensuring due process for the players involved.
Historically, incidents involving illegal gambling or sexual misconduct have resulted in harsh penalties in Korean professional sports, including suspensions, fines, and even criminal charges. If the allegations are substantiated, the players could face not only league disciplinary action but also legal consequences in both Korea and Taiwan. The club has stressed that "the value of the sweat and hard work the players have put in should not be undermined by this incident," but acknowledges that a firm and transparent response is essential.
As of February 13, the Giants’ spring camp in Tainan is set to conclude in about one week. The team’s performance on the field is now overshadowed by the off-field controversy, with attention focused on the ongoing investigation and the actions of both the club and the league. No further details have been released regarding possible charges or the outcome of the club’s internal review.
With the KBO season fast approaching, the Lotte Giants find themselves at a crossroads. The handling of this incident will not only affect the careers of Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and Kim Dong-hyuk, but also set a precedent for how similar cases are addressed in the future. For now, the baseball world waits to see how the facts unfold and what consequences—if any—will follow for the players and the club as a whole.
The Giants have pledged to provide updates as soon as their fact-finding is complete, leaving fans, officials, and the wider KBO community watching closely. The final outcome may well shape the narrative of the team’s 2026 campaign long after the spring camp in Taiwan has ended.