"Captain Jang Yoon-jung Reveals She Was Hit at Least 3-4 Times a Month" Expos?
The coach and senior athletes of the Gyeongju City Triathlon Team appeared on the 6th at the National Assembly for an emergency briefing regarding the late athlete Choi Sook-hyun's death case, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Dohwan, a member of the Gyeongju City Triathlon Team suspected of assaulting the late triathlon national athlete Choi Sookhyun (23), has admitted to the assault charges. Kim also revealed that coach Kim Gyubong and team captain Jang Yoonjung were involved in the assaults.
According to a report by Hankyoreh on the 8th, Kim said, "Seeing the junior athletes testify at the National Assembly made me feel ashamed and gave me the courage. I am sorry to Choi Sookhyun," as he confessed to the assaults.
Regarding why he had denied the allegations until now, he said, "The atmosphere was such that I could not speak out. I lacked the courage. I thought it was unthinkable to expose a senior's wrongdoing."
Kim is one of the four individuals identified by the deceased as perpetrators. He also exposed the assault actions of coach Kim and captain Jang, who still deny the allegations.
He said, "In February 2016, during training in New Zealand, three male athletes were in a room when the coach (Kim Gyubong) called us out. When I went out, the coach was drinking alcohol, and Sookhyun was standing at attention after being assaulted. Coach Kim said, 'Since you are seniors, you should get hit too,' and hit us as well."
He added, "I saw captain Jang (Jang Yoonjung) assaulting Choi Sookhyun at the training ground at least three or four times a month."
He also stated, "I will sincerely disclose all related facts in future investigations." The Korea Triathlon Federation has imposed a 10-year suspension on him.
Meanwhile, on the morning of the 26th of last month, Choi was found dead in a lodging in Busan after leaving a text message to her family saying, "Please reveal the crimes of those who bullied me."
Choi, a graduate of Gyeongbuk Physical Education High School in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, was active in the Gyeongju City Office sports team in 2017 and 2019 before transferring to the Busan City Office team earlier this year. She had been subjected to continuous group bullying and violence during her lifetime.
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