Korea Judo Association Permanently Expels Wang Ki-chun on Charges of Sexual Assault Against Minors

Kim Hye-eun, Chairperson of the Sports Fairness Committee of the Korea Judo Association, is speaking at the Sports Fairness Committee meeting held on the 12th at the Korea Sports Council's main conference room in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Ju-hee] The Korea Judo Association has decided unanimously to permanently expel former national judo athlete Wang Gi-chun (32), who was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.

On the 12th, the Korea Judo Association held a Sports Fairness Committee meeting at the Korea Sports Council conference room in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, and announced that Wang Gi-chun was given the disciplinary action of permanent expulsion and removal of his rank.

Kim Hye-eun, chairperson of the Sports Fairness Committee, stated, "Regardless of whether sexual assault occurred, it was confirmed that Wang Gi-chun had inappropriate sexual relations with a minor, and it was judged that he damaged the social status of judokas, so we decided on the most severe punishment, permanent expulsion." She added, "Once Wang Gi-chun is permanently expelled, it will be difficult for him to continue his social life as a judoka."

According to Article 34 (Application for Reconsideration, etc.), Wang Gi-chun can apply for reconsideration by the Korea Sports Council within seven days from the date he receives the disciplinary decision letter.

It is known that Wang Gi-chun did not attend the Fairness Committee in person but submitted a written explanation. Chairperson Kim did not disclose the contents of his explanation.

Meanwhile, Wang Gi-chun is currently under investigation after being arrested by the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency on the 1st on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.

Wang Gi-chun became known after winning the silver medal in the men's 73kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After failing to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, he announced his retirement and has been running a judo gym in the Daegu area, working as a sports instructor and YouTuber.