Court Recommends Reconciliation Between Kim Bo-reum and Noh Seon-yeong: "Adults Driving Them to Hell"

Kim Bo-reum is catching her breath after crossing the finish line in 5th place in the women's mass start speed skating final at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, held on February 19 at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The court urged reconciliation between Kim Boreum and Noh Seon-yeong, who are embroiled in a legal dispute over the 'exclusion skating' controversy during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics speed skating event.

On the 9th, the 13th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Kang Mingu, Jeong Mungyeong, Lee Junhyun) stated in the appeal trial of the 200 million won damages lawsuit filed by Kim Boreum against Noh Seon-yeong, "We strongly recommend mutual reconciliation."

The bench said, "Several years have already passed since the Pyeongchang Olympics, and it is heartbreaking to see both the plaintiff and defendant living a hellish life since then," adding, "We have no intention of taking sides."

They also pointed out, "The Skating Federation, coaches, and directors have all stayed out of the lawsuit," and questioned, "We want to ask our society whether it is acceptable for adults to harshly push young athletes into such a hellish situation."

Previously, Kim Boreum participated in the women's team pursuit quarterfinals at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics along with Noh Seon-yeong and Park Ji-woo, but became embroiled in the 'exclusion skating controversy.' In the race, Kim Boreum and Park Ji-woo crossed the finish line first, while Noh Seon-yeong came in far behind, leading to criticism that Kim Boreum failed to support the last skater Noh Seon-yeong, along with controversy over her interview attitude.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted an audit and announced that there was no intentional exclusion, but Kim Boreum faced public backlash and received psychological treatment.

The first trial recognized that Noh Seon-yeong verbally abused and bullied Kim Boreum, ordering her to pay 3 million won.

However, bullying before November 2017 was excluded from the compensation scope due to the statute of limitations. The claim by Kim Boreum's side that she suffered damage from the interview was also not recognized.