In an emotional statement, GM Christopher Yoo’s father Young-Kyu Yoo issued a heartfelt apology following his son’s expulsion from the 2024 U.S Chess Championship after striking a videographer.
„Christopher offers no excuses for his behavior. He is just very sad and ashamed he behaved in that way,“ the statement by Yoo’s father, published on uschess.org, reads. „If you saw him tearfully apologize to the Executive Director of the Club you’d understand he is genuinely remorseful.“
The 17-year-old was charged with fourth-degree assault by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and taken into custody after he stormed out of the tournament hall and struck a female videographer from behind after his round-five loss against GM Fabiano Caruana. The minor was eventually released to the custody of his parents and his case will be handled by the juvenile justice system.
Yoo was found guilty of „gross violations“ of the event’s „Code of Conduct“ and the „US Chess Safe Play Policy“ and expelled from the event. US Chess has also announced that Yoo’s membership is suspended pending an investigation of the incident.
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