[Summary] Im O-kyung Denies Inappropriate Call Controversy with Late Choi Sook-hyun's Colleague: "Expresses Regret over Conservative Media"

Im Oh-kyung Controversy Over Personal Questions to Late Choi Sook-hyun's Teammates
"When Players Have Issues, Thoroughly Review Any Changes in Personal Information"

Im Oh-kyung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Im O-kyung, a former national handball player and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is embroiled in controversy over allegations that she made inappropriate remarks during phone calls to the teammates of the late triathlon athlete Choi Sook-hyun, who took her own life after suffering harsh treatment within the team. Im denied the reports, stating, "I express serious regret toward the conservative sports circles and conservative media colluding to bring this down out of fear of uncovering the truth."

According to a TV Chosun report on the 5th, Im called Choi’s teammates, introducing herself as "National Assembly member Im O-kyung," and said, "It is regrettable that Choi took her own life after transferring from Gyeongju City Hall to Busan City Hall earlier this year."

She continued, "She came to a good team and was getting along well, so what crime did the Busan teachers commit, and what crime did the Busan Sports Council commit... Why is Busan also suffering damage like this...?"

Im also inquired about Choi’s family background, past medical history, and personal matters. Regarding Choi’s side filing a complaint with the prosecution against the perpetrators, she said, "Why are the parents being so harsh on their child... There are other procedures to punish (the perpetrators), and ways to impose disciplinary actions or expel them... Why did they make a young athlete undergo investigations by the prosecution and police...?"

Additionally, Im made remarks such as, "I heard she had a boyfriend; was there something bad with him?", "Just because a violent incident happened doesn’t mean everyone is living under abuse," and "Gyeongju City Hall was strange. I don’t understand it either. I communicate with my friends, but we are not like that."

Following the controversy, Im issued a statement that evening to clarify. She said, "As a senior in our country’s sports world, I have a sincere desire to improve the incurable and untouchable evils of the sports community that conservative media cannot fathom, and to support the juniors. I express serious regret toward the conservative sports circles and conservative media colluding to bring this down out of fear of uncovering the truth involving the Democratic Party, the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, and myself, Im O-kyung."

She added, "It is revealed in a recording with a friend that Choi found the prosecution and police investigations very difficult. This is an expression of sorrow and pain. What went wrong?" she questioned.

Regarding asking if there were issues with the boyfriend, she said, "I am a former handball national team coach. When something happens to athletes, I thoroughly review any changes in their personal circumstances."

She emphasized, "As soon as this incident occurred, I immediately called junior athletes to investigate if such incidents were happening elsewhere. Generally, other teams did not have such incidents, so I checked if it was something unique to Gyeongju. It hurt my heart as a sports person that the entire sports community is being treated this way because of what happened in Gyeongju. I cannot understand where the problem lies."

Finally, she added, "Undeterred, our Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee will uncover the truth behind the late Choi Sook-hyun’s death and root out those responsible from the top through hearings and national investigations."