Controversy Over Park Seri Highlights Son Heung-min's Father: "Don't Put Your Spoon in Your Child's Money"

Former golf player and broadcaster Park Seri held a press conference and revealed that she had repeatedly repaid debts owed by her father, Park Junchul. Meanwhile, Son Woongjeong, father of soccer player Son Heungmin, made a statement that drew a clear line by saying, "A child's money is a child's money," which is being reexamined online.

Son Woong-jung, the father of national soccer player Son Heung-min and director of SON Soccer Academy, is speaking at a press conference for his interview collection "I Read, Write, and Discard," held on the morning of April 17 at the Francisco Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In April, Son appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' and responded to the host's question, "Don't you give your son (Son Heungmin) an allowance?" by saying, "No, I should be the one earning it." He added, "A child's money is a child's money, my money is my money, a child's success is a child's success, only my success is my success." He then questioned, "Why put your spoon in?"

Son also pointed out, "Problems arise because parents who support their children try to put their spoon in when their children succeed." He criticized parents who treat their children as their possessions and, disregarding their talents and individuality, lead them down the path of money and success as "supportive parents."

Son, who said he did not expect Son Heungmin to become so great, revealed, "Even now, I don't know how much you earn or how much is in your bank account, but I still only see you and soccer." When asked if he still thinks Son Heungmin is not yet world-class, he replied, "No change," and expressed the opinion that "One's character must also be world-class to truly be world-class."

In his recent interview book, I Read, Write, and Discard, Son also said, "I believe that not only poverty but also parents' laziness, diligence, and cleaning habits are inherited," adding, "I think children learn by watching parents who do not cross boundaries in relationships with others."

Former golf player and broadcaster Park Seri is making a statement on the 18th at Space Share Samsung COEX Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, regarding her father's alleged forgery of private documents. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that the Park Seri Hope Foundation, where Park Seri serves as a director, filed a complaint against her father last year on charges of forgery of private documents. At a press conference on the 18th, Park Seri tearfully stated that she had resolved her father's repeated debts but had now reached a situation where she could no longer solve them.

Online, there were critical responses suggesting that Park might be the kind of "supportive parent" criticized by Coach Son. Netizens commented, "(Son) seems as strict with himself as he is with his son," and "The problem arises because it goes beyond just putting your spoon in among family members." Many also compared this case to recent instances where families of athletes or celebrities have been involved in legal disputes over financial issues.