Ulsan players accused of racism get one-match suspension, 15-million-won fine

Ulsan Hyundai's Park Yong-woo attends the K League's disciplinary meeting at the Korea Football Association House in Jongno District, central Seoul on Thursday. [YONHAP]

Ulsan Hyundai players Lee Myung-jae, Lee Kyu-seong and Park Yong-woo were handed a one-match suspension and fined 15 million won ($11,500) each by a K League disciplinary committee Thursday after appearing to make fun of Southeast Asian people's skin color during an exchange on Instagram earlier this month.

Jung Seung-hyun, a fourth Ulsan player, was also called in front of the disciplinary committee at Korea Football Association (KFA) House in Jongno District, central Seoul, but was not punished because he did not post a comment that could be construed as racist, according to the committee.

The K League also fined Ulsan 30 million won.

Thursday's disciplinary meeting was the first-ever to be called for over an accusation of racism in the K League's 40-year history.

The accusations of racism stem from defender Lee Myung-jae’s Instagram post on June 11, which he posted to celebrate Ulsan’s victory over Jeju United the day before.

The comments he exchanged with teammates Lee Kyu-seong and Park included a number of 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 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 the Ulsan players and staff faced immediate backlash from Korean football fans, with some calling for an apology from the club.

Lee Myung-jae later deleted the original post, but the fans continued to criticize him in the comment section of his other posts.

Ulsan then issued a written apology through the club’s official Instagram account on June 12 and said that they will educate all club members to eradicate discrimination.

Haiprakhon also shared a statement on the same day on his personal Facebook page.

“No one knows what we have gone through," Haiprakhon said. "I’ve faced a lot of criticism. But I never paid attention to those people, because I am aware that there is a lot of people who love me and wait for me. Only they know what I have dealt with and they are proud of me.”

His remarks do not directly reference the Ulsan incident or any of the players involved, but appears to be related to it as the picture he posted alongside the statement shows his family members wearing Jeonbuk jerseys and cheering him on from Thailand.

“I am really sorry about the incident and I am reflecting on it,” Park told reporters when leaving the initial disciplinary meeting, before the punishment was announced. “I am going to be more careful about my words and be cautious. I am sorry.”

Korean national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann, however, declared his support for both Park and Jung, both of whom played for two friendly matches with the national team after the incident broke, during a press conference earlier in the day. It is unclear to what extent Klinsmann is aware of why the players have been called in front of the disciplinary committee.

“I will always put myself in front of players,” Klinsmann said. “I will always stand behind them. When they come to the national team, they will always know our support.”

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