Choi Ki-young, Gwangju Buk-gu Council Member, Calls Sexual Assault in Kendo Club "Light Punishment"

Director Salary Reduction for 2 Months · Coach Salary Reduction for 1 Month

Choi Ki-young, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Buk-gu Council, pointed out on the 19th that "only light punishments were given to those responsible for the poor management of the Kendo team, making the promise of reform nothing but empty words."

On the same day, during the 290th 2nd regular session plenary meeting, Councilor Choi expressed frustration through a personal statement, saying, "Despite demanding strong measures against the poor management and supervision of the Kendo team, it was concluded with minor disciplinary actions as if they had colluded."

This was aimed at the Buk-gu Office Workplace Sports Team (Kendo team) Operations Committee, which held a meeting the previous day and decided on disciplinary actions of a two-month salary reduction for the coach and a one-month salary reduction for the supervisor.

Councilor Choi raised the tone of his remarks, saying, "After hearing the meeting results, I was beyond disheartened and could not contain my extreme anger."

He then criticized, "Ironically, the Buk-gu Office's stance, which initially considered disbanding the team when the Kendo team player sexual assault case was first revealed in September, completely reversed 180 degrees after the administrative investigation was completed."

He also criticized, "The apology letter and promise of reform issued under the name of the Deputy Mayor, who vowed to severely punish those involved according to laws and regulations, were blatant lies directed at the 430,000 residents of Buk-gu."

Councilor Choi explained, "The phrase 'severe punishment' means punishing one person to serve as a warning to a hundred others," and questioned, "Is a salary reduction truly a harsh punishment and appropriate for severe discipline?"

He directly criticized, "How much do they belittle the residents of Buk-gu and the Buk-gu Council? There is not even a speck of basic ethical awareness in Buk-gu administration. They are running the gamut of hypocrisy and arrogance."

Meanwhile, two Kendo team players were recently found to have concealed sexual crime facts for one to two years and were dismissed, which brought the poor management by the supervisor and coach under scrutiny.