Lifetime Ban for Drinking on the Job?

One wrong move could prove to be a fatal blow to the reputation you worked all your life to build. Such is the case for the Korean national team’s star goalkeeper, Lee Un-jae (34, Suwon Samsung).

He is the epitome of a Korean all star athlete. In the overtime penalty kick against Spain during the quarter finals of the 2002 World Cup, he conducted a goalkeeping clinic that mesmerized soccer fans the world over. Lee’s gutsy performance throughout the World Cup was what fueled the majestic semi-final debut for Team Korea.

He has firmly established his position as the starting goalkeeper for the national team ever since.

He played in the 2006 World Cup. He had an encore performance during the overtime penalty kick against Iran for the right to proceed to the quarterfinals, as well as against Japan in the following round during the 2007 Asian Cup.

But now his reputation and career are at a crossroads due to the recent discovery of alcohol consumption during the 2007 Asian Cup period. The three others who are charged with the same offense, Woo Seong-yong (34, Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Sang-shik (31 Seongnam Ilhwa), and Lee Dong-guk (28, Middlesbrough) are set to suffer the same fate. Woo hasn’t displayed much brilliance on the national squad, but has been a well loved K-League star player. Kim and Lee Dong-guk are very talented players who should be representing Korea for some years to come.

There can be no acceptable excuse for them as they have disappointed thousands of fans who made them who they are today.

But they are human after all, bound to make mistakes. To ban them for life would be too harsh a punishment.

In Japan or Europe, players are cut from the national team for such misdemeanors. But the players cannot be banned from playing soccer professionally, as they are properties of their respective clubs.

Lee Un-jae and Woo Seong-yong are veteran players who will soon reach their retirement years, and Kim Sang-shik and Lee Dong-guk are two players tasked with the responsibility of raising the bar for Korean soccer. It’s only fair that they are given a second chance.

yjongk@donga.com