[Seocho-dong Legal Story] The 'Kidari Ajossi' Who Was Locked Up in Detention and Couldn't Go to Tokyo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 12th, Choi Seon-won, Chairman of SK Networks, requested bail during his trial held at the Seoul Central District Court. Upon hearing this news, most reactions from the business and sports communities were like this: "His mental anguish must have been even greater than his physical suffering."

The lawyer stated, "Chairman Choi, who is 70 years old, experienced worsening health conditions such as diabetes and lost more than 10 kg in weight while being held at Seoul Detention Center."

Chairman Choi is currently on trial after being indicted and detained on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust involving approximately 200 billion KRW. He has been held at Seoul Detention Center since his arrest in February. Regardless of whether the court accepts his bail request, he will soon be released as the legally mandated detention period of six months per trial level is about to expire. He is expected to leave the detention center early next month.

Although his body will be lighter, his heart will likely remain heavy. This is because he could not go to Tokyo. As the President of the Korea Fencing Federation, Chairman Choi had considered attending the Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 to August 8 last month, but his detention prevented this.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Choi Sin-won, Chairman of SK Networks, is giving an encouraging speech to athletes and officials at the 2018 Fencing Night event.

Chairman Choi is widely recognized as an ardent fencing enthusiast and a strong supporter. Athletes and officials affectionately call him the "Tall Uncle."

Since March 2018, Chairman Choi has served as the President of the Korea Fencing Federation. He was re-elected in January and will continue to lead the federation until January 2025. His enthusiasm is remarkable, as he personally attends international competitions such as the World Championships, Asian Games, and Olympics where Korean athletes participate to cheer them on.

In July 2019, he personally attended the World Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, to watch the matches. He encouraged our men's sabre representative Oh Sang-wook, who won two titles at the event and rose to world number one in the rankings. He even boasted to acquaintances as if it were his own achievement, saying, "Oh Sang-wook is the world's best."

Chairman Choi also opened his wallet generously for the development of fencing. Since 2003, he and SK Telecom have sponsored a total of 24.2 billion KRW, elevating Korean fencing to the world’s top level. It was a miracle created in Korea, which was once a fencing wasteland where even parts to make fencing swords had to be sourced from Europe. In recognition of these contributions, he received an award at the 25th Coca-Cola Sports Awards last April, the first time a fencing figure was honored. It is also known that Chairman Choi intended to personally reward athletes with prize money if they won medals at the Tokyo Olympics.

The source of Chairman Choi’s love for fencing is patriotism and pride. As a Marine Corps 258th class veteran, he has a special perspective when watching athletes wearing the Taegeuk mark representing Korea on the international stage. He feels a thrill when Korean athletes stand on the podium with the Taegeuk mark on their chests during international competitions. Whenever he meets athletes, he always urges them to "always remember the Taegeuk mark on your chest."

It is certainly regrettable that he could not attend Tokyo. Despite his absence, our fencing team performed excellently at the Tokyo Olympics, winning one gold medal, one silver medal, and three bronze medals, proving to be a strong contributor. The lack of a gold medal in individual events is unfortunate. Things might have been different if Chairman Choi had been present. Encouragement from a leader can inspire athletes to excel. For example, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, President of the Korea Archery Association, encouraged female archer An San with a phone call in Tokyo, saying "I believe in you," which motivated An San to sweep the individual event and become a triple crown winner, a moment witnessed by all Koreans.

It is natural that those who commit crimes should be punished. However, the principle of our law that allows defendants to be tried without detention before sentencing should be reconsidered. Our Constitution guarantees personal freedom and the presumption of innocence, based on which defendants have the right to be tried without detention. This applies equally to Chairman Choi. The next Olympics will be held in Paris, France, three years from now. There may be many chairmen who are detained and unable to attend in Paris as well. Before that happens, Chairman Choi’s case is undoubtedly an issue that deserves reconsideration.