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Lotte Giants trio returns from suspension for gambling venue visit

Published: 05 May. 2026, 19:25 Updated: 06 May. 2026, 16:59

Lotte Giants players Kim Se-min, left, Go Seung-min, center, and Na Seung-yeup, who were disciplined for visiting a gambling venue during a spring training camp in Taiwan in February, bow in apology in front of reporters before a game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on May 5. [YONHAP]

Three Lotte Giants players who were suspended for visiting a gambling venue during spring training camp in Taiwan in February returned to action Tuesday in an away game against KT Wiz in Suwon, Gyeonggi.

The trio — Go Seung-min, Na Seung-yeup and Kim Se-min — were included in the first-team roster ahead of the game, with Go named in the starting lineup as the sixth batter and second baseman.

The players were caught visiting a gambling establishment near their accommodation in Taiwan, the site of the team’s first spring training camp, on Feb. 12. Under Article 151 of KBO regulations on conduct detrimental to the league, they were handed 30-game suspensions. Go, Na and Kim were reported to have visited the venue once, while Kim Dong-hyeok visited three times, resulting in a 50-game ban.

The Giants did not impose additional disciplinary measures, citing consistency with sanctions handed down to other teams and a KBO recommendation to refrain from double punishment. Instead, the club disciplined senior front office officials and staff for failing to properly manage the players.

The three players appeared before reporters after completing team training ahead of the game and bowed their heads in apology. All three sported visibly shorter hair.

Lotte Giants players Kim Se-min, left, Go Seung-min, center, and Na Seung-yeup, who returned after serving suspensions for visiting a gambling venue during a spring training camp in Taiwan in February, bow in front of fans ahead of a game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on May 5. [YONHAP]

“I sincerely apologize,” Go, the most senior among them, said. “My mind goes blank when I think about what to say. I will do my best to become both a better player and a better person.”

“We've also apologized to the club president and general manager who were disciplined because of us,” Go added. “I believe doing our best in our roles is the way we can express our apology to the fans. I missed the fans’ support and will give my all going forward.”

Asked about some fans expressing dissatisfaction over their immediate return following the suspension, Go said, “We have reflected deeply and feel nothing but remorse toward the fans. Now that the suspension is over, we will focus on doing what we can.”

Na and Kim also apologized and vowed to improve. Na said he would strive to set a “good example,” while Kim said, “I will work harder than anyone on the field and become a better player.”

The game ended in a 5-4 loss for the Lotte Giants against KT Wiz.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]