[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Jeong Jong-seon, former president of the Korea High School Football Federation, who is accused of embezzlement and sexual assault, has been detained.
On the 17th, Judge Song Kyung-ho, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, held a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) for former president Jeong and issued an arrest warrant, stating, "A significant portion of the criminal charges has been substantiated, and grounds for detention are recognized."
Former national football player Jeong, while serving as the coach of Seoul Eonnam High School, has been under police investigation for allegedly receiving tens of millions of won from parents under various pretexts such as football club operating expenses, and embezzling part of the training compensation paid by overseas clubs to the school. He is also suspected of sexually assaulting parents.
Earlier, in September last year, the police applied for an arrest warrant against former president Jeong on charges including embezzlement in the course of duty, violation of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft, and forcible molestation, but the court dismissed it, stating that "it is difficult to consider the criminal charges sufficiently substantiated." The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Intelligent Crime Investigation Unit recently reapplied for the arrest warrant after supplementary investigations.
Former president Jeong denies all allegations of embezzlement and sexual assault of parents. Previously, the Korea Football Association expelled former president Jeong in November last year, recognizing the charges related to sexual violence.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
