Legend Im Chang-yong, who enjoyed an era crossing three leagues of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, has ultimately stood trial. Japanese media also focused on his downfall. His severe gambling addiction and fraud charges, along with the eventual prison sentence, evoke sadness among fans.
On the 24th, Director General Kim Sung-jun of the Gwangju District Court sentenced Im Chang-yong to eight months in prison for fraud charges. However, he noted that there was no concern of flight, so he did not order court detention.
Im Chang-yong was charged with borrowing 150 million won from a person introduced through an acquaintance for gambling at a hotel casino in Manila, Philippines, in December 2019, and only repaying 70 million won. The prosecutor determined that Im Chang-yong borrowed the money from the person with the intention of selling his wife's stocks, promising to repay in three days, but lacked the intention or ability to repay at that time, leading to the charge of fraud.
In contrast, Im Chang-yong argued in the trial process that he borrowed chips for gambling, not money, and that he had already repaid the borrowed money.
Im Chang-yong was charged with habitual gambling in 2022 and received a six-month prison sentence with a two-year probation and a fine of 3 million won. Previously, in 2021, he received a summary order to pay a fine of 1 million won for failing to repay borrowed money and was also charged in 2016 for gambling in Macau, receiving a summary order to pay a fine of 10 million won.
On the 26th, the Japanese sports media 'The Digest' reported on Im Chang-yong's prison sentence, stating, "Im Chang-yong's career during his active years was brilliant. He recorded 130 wins, 86 losses, 258 saves, and 19 holds in 760 games in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), with a 3.45 earned run average. He appeared in 238 games for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in Japan from 2008 to 2012, achieving 11 wins, 13 losses, 128 saves, and 21 holds with a 2.09 earned run average. He also played for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball in 2013."
The media added, "Im Chang-yong served as the closer for the South Korean national team in the Asian Games, the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and two World Baseball Classics (WBC). Notably, in the final of the 2009 WBC, he faced Ichiro of Japan in the 10th inning of extra time and ultimately allowed a walk-off hit."
The media reported, "In September 2022, Im Chang-yong was also selected for the 'Legend 40' commemorating the 40th anniversary of the KBO League. Although he was a legend who dominated an era, his severe gambling addiction led to his downfall, and he has virtually disappeared from public view since retiring. Attention is focused on how Im Chang-yong will respond in the future and the outcome of any additional trial results."
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