Former Kiwoom player attends arrest hearing over alleged blackmailing of MLB stars

Former Kiwoom Heroes player Lim Hye-dong attended an arrest warrant hearing on Thursday over allegations of blackmailing and extorting large sums of money from Korean major leaguers Kim Ha-seong and Ryu Hyun-jin.

Former Kiwoom Heroes player Lim Hye-dong remains silent as reporters ask him about accusations he blackmailed Korean major leaguers Kim Ha-seong and Ryu Hyun-jin. Lim was questioned by the reporters as he attended his arrest warrant hearing at Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Thursday. [NEWS1]

Former Kiwoom Heroes player Lim Hye-dong attended an arrest warrant hearing on Thursday over allegations of blackmailing and extorting large sums of money from Korean major leaguers Kim Ha-seong and Ryu Hyun-jin.

The 28-year-old former professional baseball player did not respond to reporters' questions as he arrived at Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Thursday morning.

Lim is accused of extorting approximately 400 million won ($300,000) from San Diego Padres utility man Kim Ha-seong after blackmailing him and receiving a “settlement amount” in a physical altercation that allegedly occurred between the two in 2021.

During the investigation, police said that they discovered Lim also blackmailed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin and obtained around 380 million won.

Ryu is believed to have paid Lim after being threatened with a video that appears to show him assaulting Lim with a golf club in January 2022.

Lim worked as a manager at the agency to which both Kim and Ryu belonged at the time of the incidents.

Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct last Thursday requested an arrest warrant against Lim, and also against an agency official surnamed Park, on blackmail charges after finding evidence that they colluded.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]