Korean Basketball League Coaches Apologize For Match-Fixing Scandal

The coaches of the 10 Korean Basketball League teams said in unison that they "feel responsible" for the recent match-fixing scandal involving former Wonju Dongbu Promy coach Kang Dong-hee, according to the KOREA JOONGANG DAILY. Seoul Samsung Thunders coach Kim Dong-kwang said, "We think this is the fault of all of us, who as public figures involved with the KBL have not fulfilled our social duties and responsibilities." It was the first time for the KBL to undergo a prosecution investigation into match-fixing, but rumors have "long circulated that mid-level KBL teams try to lose toward the end of the regular season so they can get access to better rookies." The four bottom teams, which do not make it to the playoffs, "used to get the first draft picks in the next season." After the Kang scandal exploded, KBL Commissioner Han Sun-kyo pledged that the league "will revise those rules to help prevent game-fixing" (KOREA JOONGANG DAILY, 3/21).