There was a reason why Kwak Myung-woo (33), the star setter who led OK Financial Group to a runner-up finish last season, was traded to Hyundai Capital for nearly a month without being publicly announced.
A team official from OK Financial Group told Star News on Wednesday, “Kwak Myung-woo was recently sentenced by the court to six months in prison, one year of suspension and one year of probation for violation of the Communications Secrets Protection Act and injury. We found out about this in the process of agreeing to a trade with Hyundai Capital and making a public announcement. Afterward, we understood the contents and requested Hyundai Capital and the Federation to withdraw the disclosure, which we did not know until then, 스포츠토토 and Hyundai Capital also understood,” said Kim.
OK Financial Group agreed to a trade with Hyundai Capital on March 19, sending setter Kwak Myung-woo to Hyundai Capital in exchange for middle blocker Cha Young-seok, 30, and a first-round rookie draft pick in the 2024-2025 season.
Kwak Myung-woo is a veteran player who joined OK Financial Group Volleyball with the first pick in the second round of the 2013-2014 V-League Rookie Draft. Over the course of 10 seasons, she played a key role in leading OK Financial Group Volleyball to back-to-back championships in the 2014-2015 V-League and 2015-2016 V-League. Last season, she played in 34 matches and 126 sets, helping OK Financial Group Volleyball reach the championship game and finish as runner-up.
However, the trade was not announced by the Korean Volleyball Organization (KOVO) for nearly a month, raising questions. OK Financial Group duly withdrew the trade disclosure after confirming Kwak’s legal issues. The subsequent steps were reportedly unable to proceed because KOVO officials were staying in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the 2024 Foreign Player Tryouts. KOVO and club officials, who completed the tryout and draft on Nov. 11, agreed to discuss the matter again after returning home on Nov. 14.
Kwak could face disciplinary action over the incident. According to Article 10, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of KOVO’s Disciplinary Policy, those who commit “serious criminal offenses against society, such as sexual offenses (including sexual harassment), violence, drunk driving, illegal drugs, gambling, match-fixing, racism, school violence in the past, human rights violations, and similar reasons that damage dignity” are subject to clear disciplinary action.
Furthermore, the trade also disrupts OK Financial Group’s plans for next season, as the team did not re-sign middle blocker Asia Quarter Bayarsaihan, who played the same position last year.