Lotte Giants Players Involved in Illegal Gambling and Sexual Harassment Controversy

The Lotte Giants, a professional baseball team from South Korea, are facing serious allegations following the release of CCTV footage showing four players—Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Kim Se-min—visiting an illegal gambling center in Taiwan during their spring training camp. The footage, dated February 12, 2026, depicts players entering the establishment and allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior towards a female employee. The incident has sparked widespread controversy among fans and raised concerns regarding the players' conduct.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them throughThe Lotte Giants bowed their heads.Recently, Lotte's Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk and . .A club official said, "We are checking.

On February 13, 2026, the Lotte Giants issued an official apology, acknowledging the players' actions as violations of both the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regulations and the club's internal policies. The team announced that the four players would be immediately sent home and that the incident would be reported to the KBO Clean Baseball Center for further investigation. The club emphasized its commitment to addressing the situation seriously and warned the entire team about the implications of such behavior.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

The Lotte Giants began their spring training camp in Tainan, Taiwan, on January 25, 2026, with a total of 41 players participating. The camp was intended to focus on physical conditioning and technical training, culminating in practice games against local teams. However, the incident has overshadowed the team's preparations for the upcoming season, which includes a second training camp scheduled in Miyazaki, Japan, from February 21 to March 5, 2026.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

The allegations of illegal gambling and sexual harassment carry significant legal and reputational risks for the players and the Lotte Giants. Gambling is illegal in Taiwan, and if the establishment is confirmed to be operating unlawfully, the players could face legal repercussions. Additionally, the sexual harassment allegations could lead to further scrutiny from both the KBO and the public, potentially affecting the players' careers and the team's image.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

The incident has drawn criticism from fans and commentators alike, who express disappointment over the players' actions, especially during a time when professional athletes are expected to uphold high standards of conduct. The KBO is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, indicating that the league may take further action depending on the investigation's findings.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

• “We confirmed that Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Kim Se-min visited a place that is classified as illegal in the country.” — Lotte Giants Official Statement

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

• “The club feels the current situation seriously, and we will sternly deal with additional confirmations through a full investigation.” — Lotte Giants Official Statement

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through

The Lotte Giants will conduct a full investigation into the incident and report findings to the KBO. The outcomes of this investigation may lead to further disciplinary actions against the involved players and could influence the team's operations moving forward. The situation remains fluid as the team prepares for its upcoming training schedule and seeks to restore its reputation.

[Official] Lotte's official position on 'recognition of illegal gambling' said, "Four people, including Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min, will return home immediately and sternly deal with them through