롯데 나승엽 불법 도박 스캔들: 메이저리그 꿈도 포기하나

A gambling scandal involving four Lotte Giants players has rocked the Korean professional baseball league, just ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Players Go Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, Kim Dong-hyeok and Kim Se-min were found to have visited a gaming establishment in Tainan, Taiwan, during a spring training break, as revealed through social media posts by local residents.

A Promising Career at Risk

The gaming establishment, while presenting itself as legitimate, is suspected of operating illegally. While Taiwanese media outlets characterized the venue as lawful, Lotte determined it to be an illicit location. The team immediately sent the players home and issued a strong warning to the entire squad. Lotte has reported the incident to the KBO Clean Baseball Center, and both league and club-level disciplinary action are anticipated.

High Stakes for Lotte

All four players are considered promising prospects for Lotte. Go Seung-min and Na Seung-yeop are already projected as starters, while Kim Dong-hyeok and Kim Se-min are valuable backup players. The scandal now threatens their positions within the team.

Did You Know? In 2021, Lotte was prepared to risk losing its draft rights to secure Na Seung-yeop, who had previously received a preliminary contract offer from the Minnesota Twins.

Na Seung-yeop’s Journey

The situation is particularly damaging regarding Na Seung-yeop, a player Lotte aggressively pursued in the 2021 draft. Na Seung-yeop had previously expressed his intention to pursue a career in Major League Baseball, even reaching a preliminary agreement with the Minnesota Twins. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, a formal contract never materialized.

Despite the risk of forfeiting their draft pick, Lotte selected Na Seung-yeop in the second round. The team invested heavily in him, offering a contract worth 500 million Korean won – the second-highest in club history, surpassed only by Kim Su-hwa’s 530 million won in 2004. This investment signaled Lotte’s commitment to the player’s potential.

After completing his mandatory military service, Na Seung-yeop demonstrated his capabilities in the 2024 season, becoming a regular at first base and achieving a .312 batting average with 7 home runs and 66 RBIs in 121 games. He became a key component of Lotte’s core lineup, known as ‘Yun Na Go Hwang.’ However, his performance declined in 2025, with a .229 batting average in 105 games.

Potential Consequences

Lotte had high hopes for both Go Seung-min and Na Seung-yeop, even sending Na Seung-yeop to Japan for biomechanical analysis last fall. The current scandal, which was a concern for manager Kim Tae-hyung, now jeopardizes those expectations. The team had even been evaluating Na Seung-yeop for a potential role at third base.

Expert Insight: The severity of the disciplinary action taken by both the KBO and Lotte could set a precedent for future offenses, signaling the league’s commitment to maintaining integrity and deterring similar behavior.

The gambling scandal now puts the 500 million won investment in jeopardy, and the possibility of recouping that sum is uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What disciplinary actions could the players face?

The players could face a suspension of at least one month or a ban from at least 30 games, along with a fine of at least 3 million Korean won, according to the KBO’s regulations regarding conduct unbecoming of a player.

What was Lotte’s investment in Na Seung-yeop?

Lotte signed Na Seung-yeop to a contract worth 500 million Korean won, making it the second-largest contract in club history at the time.

What was Na Seung-yeop’s performance like before the scandal?

In 2024, Na Seung-yeop played 121 games, batting .312 with 7 home runs and 66 RBIs, establishing himself as a key player for Lotte. However, his performance declined in 2025.

How will this scandal impact the future of professional baseball in Korea?