DistantNews
🇰🇷 South Korea

National Volleyball Star Ahn Hye-jin Caught Driving Under Influence; Apologizes Profusely

From Hankyoreh · (1d ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Ahn Hye-jin, a star setter for the GS Caltex women's volleyball team and a national player, was caught driving under the influence.
  • She self-reported the incident immediately after being caught and the club has notified the Korea Volleyball Federation (KVF) for disciplinary action.
  • Ahn Hye-jin has apologized for her actions, but her future with the team and the national squad is now uncertain due to KVF regulations.

The news that Ahn Hye-jin, the celebrated setter for GS Caltex and a key player for the national women's volleyball team, has been caught driving under the influence has sent shockwaves through the Korean sports community. This incident, which occurred on the 16th, has led to immediate action from her club and has cast a shadow over her promising career.

The club confirms Ahn Hye-jin's drunk driving incident and informs fans with a heavy sense of responsibility. We express deep regret and apologize for causing concern to our fans.

— GS CaltexThe club's official statement acknowledging Ahn Hye-jin's drunk driving offense.

GS Caltex has issued a statement acknowledging the offense and expressing deep regret to their fans. The club has promptly informed the Korea Volleyball Federation (KVF), initiating the disciplinary process. According to KVF regulations, penalties for drunk driving can range from a warning to outright expulsion, along with fines exceeding 5 million won. The KVF has confirmed they are preparing to convene a disciplinary committee to deliberate on Ahn's case, considering the police investigation results, the severity of her actions, and her remorse.

I deeply apologize for causing trouble with drunk driving. This is entirely my fault, and it was a rash act with no room for excuses.

— Ahn Hye-jinAhn Hye-jin's apology posted on social media.

Ahn Hye-jin herself has taken to social media to offer a heartfelt apology, admitting full responsibility for her 'rash behavior' and expressing profound disappointment to her fans, the volleyball community, and the league officials. She vowed to reflect deeply on her actions and live with lifelong remorse to prevent any recurrence.

I am truly sorry for causing great disappointment and concern to all the fans, everyone who loves volleyball, and the club and league officials. Taking this as an opportunity to deeply reflect on myself, I will live with a lifelong remorseful heart so that the same mistake is not repeated.

— Ahn Hye-jinAhn Hye-jin's further apology expressing remorse to stakeholders.

This incident has significant implications for Ahn's career. She recently secured free agent status for the 2025-2026 season, but this DUI charge now jeopardizes her future. Furthermore, her inclusion in the national team roster announced just days ago by the Korea Volleyball Association is now likely to be rescinded, as KVF rules prohibit national team selection for individuals with recent DUI-related penalties. This situation is particularly disheartening given her pivotal role in GS Caltex's championship victory.

We have received the report from the club and are preparing to convene the Disciplinary Committee. We will discuss the disciplinary action after comprehensively considering the police investigation results, the degree of fault, and the level of remorse.

— KVF OfficialA Korea Volleyball Federation official explaining the process for handling Ahn Hye-jin's case.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog