By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
The players of the now-defunct Hyundai Unicorns agreed to participate in the team's training camp in Jeju Island Tuesday after resolving an employment dispute with Seattle-based investment firm Centennial, which was approved by the KBO last month as the team's new owner.
The players have been boycotting the training camp after Centennial announced plans to cut payrolls. Centennial has already begun reshuffling the front office and coaching staff, with former All-Star outfielder Park No-joon named as the team's general manager and former LG Twins skipper Lee Kwang-han replacing sacked Unicorns manager Kim Si-jin.
In a meeting with player representatives at the Unicorns' practice grounds in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Park assured that the new team will fully inherit the current Unicorns roster.
``There have been some misunderstandings, but now everything is clear to both sides,'' said Park. ``Training camp will start immediately on Wednesday, as we do not have much time until the spring exhibition games start on March 8."
``There has been a lot of trouble finding a new owner for the team," said Unicorns pitcher Chung Min-tae. ``We could have saved a lot of time if the Centennial officials explained things clearly to the players from the start, instead of throwing around words about restructuring.''