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Baduk player Lee Se-dol |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Lee Se-dol, the 26-year-old top Korean baduk player, failed to participate in a Chinese league held in Hangzhou _ because he was included in the list of passengers who needed to take an influenza A test.
According to the Korean Embassy in Shanghai, Lee arrived in China Wednesday and underwent the influenza test until 1:30 a.m. Thursday. He was forced to undergo the examination because his body temperature was 37 degrees Celsius, a little bit higher than average of 36.7.
He was not diagnosed with the virus but it was too late. Lee could have participated in the game if the test was done by 10 p.m. Wednesday.
``We explained the situation to the Chinese authorities but it was not accepted,'' said an official representing Lee. ``He felt unfairly treated and doesn't want to participate in the next Hangzhou game in the coming week.''
Lee has reportedly been in a ``sour relationship'' with the Korea Baduk Association because he declined to participate in the 2009 Korean Baduk League. Lee has also been at loggerheads with the association for his resistance against the old, customary practices of the Korean baduk circle.
As the association sought disciplinary punishment for his non-involvement in the league, Lee informed the association that he wants a year-and-half of leave from July.
Lee's appearance in the Chinese league is one of the issues _ the association wants him to contribute 5 percent of his earnings from the Chinese league to its coffers, but he has refused.
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
