Ulsan Hyundai issue apology after players accused of racism

Football

Published: 12 Jun. 2023, 16:35 Updated: 12 Jun. 2023, 16:44

Ulsan Hyundai issue apology after players accused of racism

Ulsan Hyundai defender Lee Myung-jae's photo shared on his Instagram account on April 30. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Ulsan Hyundai issued an apology on Monday after three players were accused of posting racist comments on Instagram over the weekend.

Defender Lee Myung-jae first uploaded an Instagram post on Sunday to celebrate Ulsan’s victory over Jeju United the day before, but the comments he exchanged with teammates Lee Kyu-seong and Park Yong-woo included a few expressions that could be interpreted as racist.

“The Southeast Asian quarter is so reliable,” Lee Kyu-seong commented on Lee Myung-jae’s Instagram post in what was interpreted to be a reference to Lee Myung-jae's darker skin tone.

In Korea, referring to somebody with a darker skin tone as being either from Southeast Asia or from a specific Southeast Asian country is a common insult. All four of the players involved in the exchange are Korean.

Ulsan captain Jung Seung-hyun also complimented Lee Myung-jae, but Lee Myung-jae responded: “It is all because of you, Asian Quarter.”

Lee Myung-jae’s comment used the name for the K League's "Asian Quarter" draw for recruiting players from outside Korea, and appears to be another reference to skin color — this time to Jung's darker skin tone. Nearly all players recruited through the Asian Quarter draw come from Southeast Asia.

Park left another comment specifically referring to Thai footballer Sasalak Haiprakhon, who played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2021.

“Sasalak is in crazy form,” Park commented, referring to Lee Myung-jae as Haiprakhon.

An Ulsan staff member echoed that comment by leaving a response that read: “Sasalak super tackle.”

The comments by Ulsan players and staff member faced immediate backlash from Korean football fans, with some calling for an apology from the club.

Lee Myung-jae later deleted the original post.

Ulsan issued a written apology through the club’s official Instagram account and said that they will educate all club members to eradicate discriminatory acts.

A written apology shared on Ulsan Hyundai's official Instagram account on Monday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The club will also apologize to Haiprakhon and all those involved in the incident and open a disciplinary procedure against the people responsible for the incident soon.

As of press time, the K League was yet to comment on the incident.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]