The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) has issued indefinite disqualification to former pitcher Seo Jun-won, following serious disciplinary actions stemming from misconduct involving minors. This ruling was announced on March 14, 2025, after deliberations on March 12 during KBO's disciplinary committee meeting.
Seo Jun-won, who previously played for the Lotte Giants, was found guilty of creating sexually explicit materials involving minors, leading to severe legal consequences. According to KBO, Seo’s case became public after he initiated contact with the victim through KakaoTalk, where he sent up to 60 messages requesting nude photographs. He coerced the minor to produce sexually explicit material, threatening to distribute the photos should she refuse to comply. This behavior caused significant uproar and resulted in his immediate release from Lotte Giants.
His legal troubles escalated when he was formally indicted for the acts he committed, leading to his trial. On September 2024, the Busan District Court sentenced Seo to three years in prison, with the sentence suspended for five years of probation. Additional penalties included the completion of 120 hours of community service and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures. Seo was also barred from employment at any institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled for five years.
Despite these serious charges, Seo Jun-won was not done causing controversy. While under probation for his initial charges, he was involved in another incident in May 2024, where he caused an accident due to drunk driving. This incident only added to the damage of his public image and contributed to KBO's decision.
Soon after these events, KBO suspended Seo’s participation activities at the end of March 2023, reflecting on prior protocols outlined in their regulations concerning harmful activities involving athletes. The KBO’s decision to conduct the disciplinary committee was prompted by the need to reassess Seo's status following the confirmation of his judicial punishment.
According to KBO’s rules, especially stipulated under Article 151, which addresses acts detrimental to the dignity of the organization, Seo’s actions warranted this grave penalty. It states, “Seo Jun-won's case was deliberated due to the finalization of his previous sentence, resulting in indefinite disqualification according to KBO Rule 151.” This official standpoint indicates KBO’s zero-tolerance policy concerning player misconduct.
Seo Jun-won's athletic career, once promising, has taken a significant downturn due to his actions. Drafted by the Lotte Giants as the first-round pick back in 2019, he had recorded 15 wins against 23 losses with five holds and had a 5.56 earned run average (ERA) over 123 games. Unfortunately, expectations have not been met due to various wrongdoings, including the present one.
The KBO's ruling stands as another reminder of the need for accountability within professional sports. Following the disqualification announcement, KBO officials reiterated the importance of protecting the integrity of the sport and ensuring players uphold the respectability expected of professional athletes.
With this ruling, Seo Jun-won is barred from returning to the mound until the KBO decides otherwise, which seems unlikely at this point, considering his actions have severely tarnished his career. The consequences of this affair extend not only to Seo but also to the broader narrative of how misconduct within sports is viewed by fans, other athletes, and stakeholders.
This case serves as a pivotal moment, showcasing the ramifications of failing to uphold societal and professional ethical standards, thereby elevates the discussion around issues of player conduct and the responsibilities embedded within the sporting community.