Repeated Sexual Violence and Abuse Issues in Sports...Urgent Need for Countermeasures
Korean Sport & Olympic Committee "Immediate Investigation Launched...Strict Measures to Be Taken"
Experts "Authoritarian and Apprenticeship System Problems Within the Sports World"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] National triathlon athlete and former representative Choi Sook-hyun’s tragic death by suicide, following harsh treatment by her team’s coaches and others, has sparked public outrage. Given the recent resurgence of issues related to sexual violence and abuse in sports, highlighted by short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee’s revelations last year, there is a growing call for urgent measures to prevent recurrence.
Experts point out that the ongoing violence cases in sports stem from the authoritative and hierarchical system within the sports community.
According to Lee Yong, a former bobsleigh and skeleton coach and a member of the United Future Party, Choi, who was a national triathlon athlete, sent a text message to her mother on May 26 saying, "Mom, I love you. Please expose those people’s crimes," before taking her own life.
Choi had filed complaints with the Korea Sports Council and police regarding the harsh treatment but was confirmed to have suffered extreme stress. YTN released a recording revealing that athletes and officials from Choi’s former team, Gyeongju City Hall, subjected her to abusive behavior.
The recording shows them verbally abusing Choi with phrases like, "You did two training sessions and didn’t even eat a meal, yet you gained weight," and "You did wrong, so starve for three days," as well as physically assaulting her after telling her to "grit your teeth."
Rep. Lee stated, "Despite Choi’s reports, none of the Korea Sports Council, Korea Triathlon Federation, or Gyeongbuk Sports Council listened to her voice." He added, "We urge a thorough investigation and strict punishment for the perpetrators. Those who verbally and physically abused the deceased must be held accountable."
The bereaved family demands a full investigation and punishment of those responsible, stating that Choi endured harsh treatment from coaches and senior athletes at her former team, Gyeongju City Hall, before making the tragic decision.
Former national team coach Jo Jae-beom, who was indicted on charges of assaulting athletes including South Korean women's short track star Shim Suk-hee, is attending a trial held on September 12, 2018, at the Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News
This is not the first case of physical abuse and harsh treatment in the sports community. Last January, short track skater Shim Suk-hee revealed she was assaulted by former coach Cho Jae-beom, and additional reports of sexual assault surfaced, intensifying criticism of the sports world.
Shim disclosed that from 2014 to 2017, starting in her second year of high school, she was sexually assaulted multiple times by former coach Cho.
According to the "2018 Sports (Sexual) Violence Survey" released by the Korea Sports Council last year, the rates of violence and sexual violence experienced by general registered athletes and coaches in the past year were 26.1% and 2.7%, respectively, while national team athletes and coaches reported rates of 3.7% and 1.7%. This indicates that athletes are exposed to (sexual) violence from coaches, seniors, and peers.
Thanks to Shim’s courage, the government and political circles introduced measures to eradicate sexual violence in sports, including comprehensive surveys, stricter punishments, and operation of reporting centers, but the problems persisted.
According to the "Korea Sports Council Sports Human Rights Center Report and Handling Status" obtained by former Democratic Party lawmaker Son Hye-won last year, out of 113 reports received between 2014 and 2018, only 65% resulted in disciplinary action.
Among these, severe penalties such as "permanent expulsion" or "suspension of qualifications for over five years" accounted for only 9.7% (11 cases) and 7.1% (8 cases), respectively. Notably, 47.8% (54 cases) received relatively light penalties such as warnings, reprimands, or probation. Additionally, 3.5% (4 cases) were found to be "not guilty" or had "no disciplinary action."
Moreover, many coaches who were disciplined for violence or sexual violence have returned to their positions.
Analysis by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-joo, based on data from the Korea Sports Council in October 2018, showed that among 860 disciplinary cases over the past five years (including 111 related to assault and sexual violence), 24 perpetrators returned to work during their suspension period, and 299 returned after their disciplinary period ended.
According to the "2018 Sports Violence and Sexual Violence Survey Results" announced last year by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the rates of violence and sexual violence experienced by general registered athletes and coaches in the past year were 26.1% and 2.7%, respectively, while the rates for national team athletes and coaches were 3.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Photo by Yonhap News
Consequently, there is an urgent call for measures to resolve these issues. Experts emphasize the need not only to strengthen punishment for perpetrators but also to consider support measures for victims.
Experts criticize the fundamental problem in sports as the vertical power structure rooted in performance-oriented culture.
Professor Ahn Horim of Incheon National University told YTN’s "Open Radio," "The sports world is a structure where athletes are entirely dependent on coaches, essentially a 'super subordinate' system. If athletes quit, they have no alternatives. The person who has the greatest influence on their performance and career is the coach. Because of this, it is difficult to resist inappropriate behavior." He added, "The most fundamental problem is performance supremacy. The atmosphere that values only results might be the root cause of all these issues," urging comprehensive structural reform in sports.
Meanwhile, the Korea Sports Council issued a statement saying, "The Korea Sports Council Sports Human Rights Center received a report of violence from athlete Choi Sook-hyun on April 8 and, considering the victim’s age and gender, assigned a female investigator to promptly begin the investigation."
They added, "The case was investigated by Gyeongju Police Station and forwarded to the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office Gyeongju Branch. On May 1, the case was transferred to the Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office, where the investigation is currently ongoing. The Sports Council is actively cooperating with the prosecution to expedite the investigation and will take strict measures against those involved through the Korea Triathlon Federation’s Sports Fairness Committee scheduled for June 9."
※ If you are struggling with difficult feelings such as depression and need expert help, you can receive 24-hour counseling at the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1393, Lifeline 1588-9191, or Youth Hotline 1388.
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