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| Announcer Kim Hee-yeon / Photo=DB |
On the 9th, she posted to her social media accounts: \"I sincerely apologize to all baseball fans who were offended by my reporting and interview last Saturday.\"
She added that she has reviewed that day's broadcasts carefully and deeply reflected on her shortcomings, expressing regret. \"I bow my head and offer a profound apology to SSG Landers fans and club officials who were hurt by this incident, and to player Eredia,\" she wrote.
The incident took place on the 4th during the SSG Landers' game against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. After the game, Kim interviewed Eredia, who had been named the game's top performer, and abruptly asked him to sing.
Eredia politely declined, saying, \"You only sing when you're in the mood. In this setting, it's difficult.\"
Kim then began singing Kim Bum-soo's \"Bogosipda\" and handed Eredia the microphone. Eredia shook his head and said \"no\" in Korean, and the episode concluded.
The controversy intensified after footage emerged showing Kim imitating the Cuban-born Eredia's Korean pronunciation in a pregame report while singing, behavior many viewers found mocking.
Some fans described the conduct as racist, and several filed complaints with the Korea Communications Standards Commission.
Five days after the controversy surfaced, Kim issued a formal apology in an effort to contain the fallout. She closed her statement by saying, \"I will strive to be a more mature broadcaster going forward.\"
[Sports Today reporter Shin Seo-young sports@stoo.com]
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