Choi Min-jeong's Side: "Shim Seok-hee Tried to Apologize Dozens of Times... Please Stop Contacting"

"Complaining of Severe Stress"

Short track national team athlete Choi Min-jeong. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Short track national team member Choi Min-jeong (23, Seongnam City Hall) has requested that Shim Seok-hee (24, Seoul City Hall), who is under suspicion of 'intentional collision,' stop contacting her.

Choi Min-jeong's agency, All That Sports, stated in a press release on the 28th, "Please stop Shim Seok-hee's continuous demands for Choi Min-jeong to accept apologies," adding, "Since the allegations became public through the media on the 8th, Choi Min-jeong has received dozens of phone calls and several text messages from Shim Seok-hee."

They continued, "Choi Min-jeong even received text messages just two days before the first ISU World Cup event held in Beijing, China, and she has expressed mental difficulties and anxiety," adding, "She is experiencing extreme stress."

Meanwhile, a text message exchange between Shim Seok-hee and a coach during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics was revealed on the 8th, sparking controversy. The messages contained abusive language and criticism directed at fellow athletes Choi Min-jeong, Kim A-rang, and others.

Furthermore, there were indications that Shim Seok-hee and the coach conspired to cause intentional collisions. The messages were reportedly obtained from a forensic examination of Shim Seok-hee's phone by Jo Jae-beom (40), the former short track national team coach currently imprisoned on sexual assault charges.

Choi Min-jeong has requested a fact-finding investigation into the intentional collision allegations from the Korea Skating Union. The union formed an investigative committee consisting of seven members and held the first committee meeting on the afternoon of the 27th in the union's conference room. Currently, Choi Min-jeong is focusing on treatment after injuring her knee and ankle at the first short track World Cup event.