Hyun Joo-yeop and Ki Sung-yong, Four Months Since School Violence Allegations... Investigation and Trial at a Standstill

Hyeon Ju-yeop Allegations Still Under Investigation
Criticism of Parties Watching Public Opinion
Legal Representatives Avoid Responding

Ki Sung-yong Allegations Also Stalled Investigation
Repeated Rescheduling Due to Attendance Conflicts
Odd Compensation Lawsuit Also at Standstill

Former national team professional soccer player Ki Sung-yueng, basketball star turned broadcaster Hyun Joo-yeop [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho, Jeongyun Lee] It has been four months since investigations and trials began regarding school violence allegations against former and current sports stars such as Hyun Joo-yeop and Ki Sung-yueng, but there has been virtually no progress. There are talks that the legal representatives of the parties involved might be stalling while observing public opinion trends.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy on the 30th, the case in which basketball star turned broadcaster Hyun Joo-yeop sued those who raised school violence allegations is currently under investigation by the Seongnam Jungwon Police Station and Suwon Jungbu Police Station. This case surfaced in March when a person claiming to be a junior who played sports at the same school as Hyun posted a message on an online community accusing him of physically assaulting school juniors and demanding an apology and his withdrawal from broadcasting. A few days later, Hyun filed a defamation lawsuit against the accusers at the Seoul Suseo Police Station and underwent a complainant investigation in the same month. After the complainant investigation, the police identified the accused and transferred the case in April to the Seongnam Jungwon Police Station and Suwon Jungbu Police Station, which have jurisdiction over the areas where the accused reside.

Since the case was transferred, the Seongnam Jungwon Police Station and Suwon Jungbu Police Station have conducted investigations of the accused, but they maintain that the investigation is "still ongoing." A police official stated, "The parties' positions are sharply opposed, so it is not at a stage where a conclusion can be reached." When the parties' positions conflict, a confrontation investigation is necessary, but it has not been conducted due to scheduling conflicts. The investigation into Hyun’s side has not progressed at all since the case was transferred. The law firm Minju, representing Hyun, avoided answering related questions, stating, "The responsible lawyer is in a meeting," and "(The lawyer) is currently absent."

Investigations into former national team professional soccer player Ki Sung-yueng are also sluggish. Earlier, Ki filed a police complaint in March against accusers who alleged that he sexually assaulted a junior during elementary school. The Seoul Seocho Police Station conducted one investigation each for the complainant and the accused after receiving the case but has seen no progress since. A police official said, "Everyone is busy, so the schedule keeps getting delayed," adding, "We are currently trying to coordinate dates because the attendance dates do not match." The official added, "It would be better if they appeared on time, but since it is postponed, the investigation is delayed," and assured, "We will proceed according to the principles."

Ki’s civil lawsuit for damages against the accusers is also effectively at a standstill. The Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 14 (Presiding Judge Kim Jong-min) has reviewed the documents submitted by both parties since the case was assigned in March but has not yet scheduled a hearing date. Typically, in civil lawsuits, after the complaint is filed and one or two rounds of written exchanges occur, a hearing date is set. Initially, Ki’s first hearing was expected to be scheduled for August, but it is currently uncertain. There is a possibility of further delays as Ki recently appointed a new legal representative. It takes time for the new attorney to review the case details and prepare for the trial. Previously, Ki’s legal representative, Attorney Song Sang-yeop of Law Firm Seopyeong, resigned last month due to health reasons. Ki subsequently appointed Attorney Kim Won-guk of Law Firm Yeobaek as his new legal representative.