Director Kim Gyubong, Team Doctor An Juhyun, and Player Jang Yunjung, Key Perpetrators, Absent
Officials Evade Responsibility, Only Give General Answers... Lawmakers from Both Parties Criticize
"If Toleration, Concealment, and Neglect Are Not Addressed, Violence Cannot Be Eradicated"
On the 22nd, a teammate of the late athlete Choi Sook-hyun, who attended the 'Hearing on Harsh Treatment of Triathlon Athletes and Human Rights Violations in the Sports Sector' held by the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, is speaking. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhee Kang] A hearing on the case in which the late athlete Choi Sook-hyun was collectively bullied and ultimately driven to take her own life was held on the 22nd, but criticism has arisen that it was a 'meaningless hearing' as three key perpetrators accused of the abuse did not attend.
In particular, the Korea Sports Council and related government departments have been criticized for their passive response, avoiding responsibility or giving only general answers throughout the hearing, failing to prepare active measures to prevent recurrence.
The Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (CSTC) held a hearing at the National Assembly titled 'Hearing on Abuse of Triathlon Athletes and Human Rights Violations in the Sports Sector' to discuss clear fact-finding and countermeasures related to this incident.
However, the hearing's purpose was undermined as key perpetrators?former Gyeongju City Hall Triathlon Team coach Kim Gyu-bong, athletic trainer An Ju-hyun known as the 'team doctor,' and team captain Jang Yoon-jung?did not attend citing reasons such as 'under investigation,' 'severe stress,' and 'loss of contact.'
Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attending the hearing criticized the absence of the perpetrators. Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party said, "Some of the most necessary people are missing," and criticized, "I am appalled by the thought that key perpetrators can ignore the National Assembly's orders."
Kim Seung-soo of the United Future Party also pointed out, "Recently, there has been talk about the uselessness of hearings. Key witnesses refuse to appear, and important materials for the hearing have not been properly submitted by the government and related agencies," adding, "Even materials requested weeks ago have yet to be provided. We cannot help but doubt the sincerity."
The fact that key perpetrators did not attend the fact-finding hearing has also drawn criticism from citizens.
A netizen identified as A, who watched the hearing, said, "I was so angry watching it that I couldn't stand it. What kind of fact-finding can be done with a hearing that lacks witnesses and proper materials?" They expressed anger, saying, "Considering the seriousness of the matter, they should have been forcibly brought in. How many times has such violence occurred in the sports world already? I don't know if there is any real will to discuss measures to prevent recurrence."
The passive attitude of related government departments, including the sports sector, was also pointed out as a problem. Lawmakers from both sides pressed for fundamental measures to prevent recurrence, but the departments only gave general answers.
When Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-jik asked, "The Sports Human Rights Center promotes the establishment of a one-stop support center for women and child violence victims. Has this ever been actually applied?" Korea Sports Council President Lee Ki-heung responded evasively, saying, "There is a shortage of personnel. It is difficult because only three investigators conduct direct investigations."
When United Future Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin asked, "The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism bears the greatest responsibility. What do you think?" Minister Park Yang-woo of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appeared to shift responsibility, saying, "The Korea Sports Council has managed sports human rights until now."
As evasive answers continued, lawmakers from both parties reacted sharply. Kim Seung-soo of the United Future Party criticized, "From February to June, the late athlete filed complaints with six different institutions. There were many opportunities, but all responded formally, and some even tried to downplay or conceal the issue," adding, "I am appalled by the complacent attitude of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism."
Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party criticized the Korea Sports Council's complacent response, saying, "The association that avoids responsibility and tries to cover up, and the Korea Sports Council that only pretends to act when a crisis occurs, are all accomplices."
The late Choi Sook-hyun's mother appeared on the 22nd at the National Assembly's hearing on "Harsh Treatment of Triathlon Athletes and Human Rights Violations in the Sports Sector." She is seen shedding tears as testimonies about the harsh treatment of Choi Sook-hyun were presented. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Earlier, on the 19th, the Korea Sports Council announced a 'Special Measures to Eradicate Sports Violence' to prevent violence in the sports world. The plan included a one-strike-out policy for violent coaches, establishment of a multi-layered sports violence monitoring system, reward system for reporting, and strengthened human rights education as special measures to eradicate violence.
However, despite new institutional measures being introduced each time a violence incident arises, criticism remains that these measures have failed to fundamentally solve the problem of violence within the sports community.
The Joint Countermeasures Committee (JCC), which calls for fundamental measures to address violence in sports, held a press conference on the 20th, stating, "Unless the human cartel that has knowingly tolerated, concealed, and neglected violence is broken, the problem of violence in sports will not be eradicated."
The JCC added, "Even after the violence and sexual violence case involving Jo Jae-beom last January, the violent practices in the sports world have not changed," emphasizing, "If punishment is limited to scapegoating, violent incidents will repeat under the pressure of performance-oriented culture. We must change to respect athletes' human rights over gold medals."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced on the 21st that it will conduct a comprehensive survey on violence victimization targeting 59,252 student athletes to prevent recurrence of cases like that of the late athlete Choi, who suffered abuse and took extreme measures.
The survey aims to identify the actual state of violence against student athletes and take strict follow-up actions if necessary. If violence is confirmed, follow-up measures will be taken according to school violence handling procedures for the athletes, and for sports coaches, police investigations and child abuse investigations will be conducted through the police and child protection agencies.
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