Sim Seok-hee's Side "Severe Shock... Difficult to Live Normally" Complains of Pain from Secondary Harm

Short track speed skater Shim Seok-hee crossed the finish line first in the women's 1000m final at the 2021-2022 national team first selection competition held on May 6 at the Taereung Ice Rink in Nowon-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Short track speed skater Shim Seok-hee has requested that secondary victimization stop, saying she is "experiencing extreme shock to the point where she cannot live a normal life," following the release of the original trial verdict for former short track national team coach Jo Jae-beom, who was indicted on charges of sexual assault.

On the 15th, Shim Seok-hee's lawyer stated in a press release, "Recently, media coverage about the victim has been based on a defense opinion letter written by Jo Jae-beom's lawyer from the defendant's perspective."

They emphasized, "This itself constitutes a criminal act violating Articles 14 and 24 of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes."

They continued, "Shim is experiencing extreme mental shock to the extent that she cannot live a normal life," adding, "A sexual assault victim in her early twenties cannot handle this alone."

They also said, "As her representative, we could take various legal actions regarding the damages already incurred, but we are concerned that this might cause additional pain to Shim."

Furthermore, they added, "We hope that future reporting will be careful to prevent any secondary harm to Shim."

Previously, the original trial verdict for former coach Jo, who was indicted on sexual assault charges, was controversially released on some online communities.

Jo was indicted for sexually assaulting or forcibly molesting Shim about 30 times from 2014 to 2017. In January, the first trial sentenced Jo to 10 years and 6 months in prison, and the second trial increased the sentence to 13 years. Jo appealed the verdict.

Meanwhile, Shim Seok-hee was temporarily excluded from the short track national team after being accused of disparaging fellow national team athletes and deliberately colliding with Choi Min-jung during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Additionally, allegations have surfaced that she secretly recorded conversations of fellow athletes in the locker room during the Pyeongchang Olympics.