“Korean Gangster” Won Sik Park has issued a public apology following backlash surrounding Joong Woo Kim, after footage circulated online appearing to show Kim choking a man unconscious during a broadcast.
The incident has drawn criticism within South Korea’s combat sports community, with questions being raised over the use of potentially dangerous martial arts techniques outside a competitive or controlled training environment.
Park, however, is not distancing himself from the controversy.
Instead, the Korean MMA veteran has publicly accepted responsibility as one of the people who brought Joong Woo Kim into his circle as a student, junior and teammate.
Footage Sparks Backlash
The controversy centers around footage that appears to show Kim applying a guillotine choke to another man during a broadcast.
In the footage highlighted by a Korean combat sports commentator, the man appears to submit while caught in the choke before eventually losing consciousness. The situation drew further criticism over the man’s subsequent fall onto the hard surface and the response immediately afterward.
The commentator condemned the incident and argued that trained martial artists have an increased responsibility when dealing with people outside of competition.
He also used the controversy to address what he considers a broader problem within Korea’s online fight culture, where street confrontations, intimidation and combat sports personalities interacting physically with non-fighters can become entertainment.
Rather than focusing exclusively on Kim, the commentator called on martial arts coaches across Korea to consider the responsibility that comes with teaching potentially dangerous techniques.
For him, the incident represented the opposite of what martial arts gyms should be attempting to build.
Won Sik Park Issues Public Apology
Following the controversy, Park posted a lengthy statement apologizing to those affected.
“First of all, I sincerely apologize to the combat sports fans and officials who were disappointed by this controversy, as well as everyone who felt uncomfortable,” Park wrote.
He then addressed the person involved directly.
Park apologized to the individual and his family before extending an apology to ZFN and Chan Sung Jung, saying they had also suffered significant damage as a result of the controversy.
But perhaps the most notable part of Won Sik Park’s statement was his willingness to accept some of the responsibility himself.
“As the person who accepted Joong Woo Kim as my student, junior and teammate, I clearly bear responsibility as well.”
Park asked that criticism and questions directed toward Kim also be directed toward him.
He added that he would accept the criticism surrounding the situation with humility.
“If There Is Punishment to Receive, It Should Be Received”
Park did not attempt to argue that Kim should escape criticism because of their relationship.
Instead, he acknowledged that wrongdoing should carry consequences.
“Just as it is natural to be criticized for what you have done wrong, I believe that if there is punishment that must be received, it should also be received accordingly,” Park wrote.
According to Park, Kim is now attempting to fulfill his responsibilities toward the person involved and is reflecting deeply on his actions.
Park then asked the public to eventually allow Kim an opportunity to demonstrate that he has learned from the controversy.
“After all the criticism and condemnation has passed, I will wait for the day when you can once again support Joong Woo Kim when he returns as a more mature person,” he wrote.
Park concluded the statement by apologizing once again on Kim’s behalf.
“Once again, I sincerely apologize on his behalf. I’m sorry.”
He signed the statement simply:
— Korean Gangster
A Bigger Conversation for Korean Combat Sports
The controversy arrives as the line between professional combat sports and online fight entertainment has become increasingly blurred in South Korea.
Fighters and martial artists have found enormous audiences through YouTube, livestreaming and other social platforms, but incidents involving trained competitors and members of the public inevitably raise a different set of questions than what happens inside a cage, ring or gym.
That distinction was at the center of the criticism directed toward Kim.
For Park, the response has also become personal.
Rather than presenting himself solely as an outside observer, the veteran fighter acknowledged his position in Kim’s development and accepted that being a senior figure carries responsibility when someone under his guidance becomes involved in controversy.
Whether the public ultimately accepts the apology remains to be seen.
For now, Park’s message is clear: Kim must answer for his actions, and as one of the people who welcomed him into his team, “Korean Gangster” believes he has to answer for part of it too.
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