Lim Hye-dong, a former Kiwoom Heroes pitcher who was sued by Kim Ha-sung for racketeering and defamation, is also accused of extorting hundreds of millions of dollars from Ryu Hyun-jin. Japanese media are also paying attention.
The Gangnam Police Station in Seoul filed a preliminary arrest warrant for Lim on charges of racketeering. Lim played the role of Ryu Hyun-jin’s road manager, and demanded hundreds of millions of won under the pretext of the conflict between him and Ryu Hyun-jin, who reportedly handed over about 300 million won to Lim after being threatened.
Amid a truth battle with major leaguer Kim Ha-sung (San Diego Padres) over allegations of assault and blackmail while drinking, he was at a crossroads of arrest for threatening Ryu Hyun-jin and extorting a large amount of money.
Japanese media outlet Full Count reported, “Korean Major Leaguer infielder Kim Ha-sung and pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin are in trouble.” According to various Korean media, Lim Hye-dong, a former Kiwoom player, appeared in the police and was investigated for threatening his former teammate Kim Ha-sung. Ryu Hyun-jin also reportedly threatened.”
Lim Hye-dong is a suspect in non-arrest, so when the court sets a schedule for preliminary arrest interrogation (substantial examination of warrant), he will appear at the Seoul Central District Court for a hearing.
Earlier, Kim Ha-sung filed a complaint with the police in February 2021, saying that he had a physical fight with Lim Hye-dong while drinking at a bar in Gangnam, Seoul, and that Lim Hye-dong continued to demand settlement money.
When Kim Ha-sung’s complaint was revealed, Lim Hye-dong claimed that he was habitually assaulted. Kim Ha-sung denied unilateral and habitual assault and further sued Lim Hye-dong for defamation under the Information and Communication Network Act.
The police summoned and investigated Lim Hye-dong for two consecutive days on December 21st and 22nd last year, and are forensic analyzing Lim Hye-dong’s confiscated mobile phone and analyzing text messages and phone records.
