"Is Son Heung-min's Image Worth 500 Million Won?" Son Woong-jung's Lawsuit and Parent's Recorded Conversation Revealed

"Offering 100 Million Won if You Accept 500 Million Won" Rebate Proposal Also Made

Amid a dispute over the settlement amount between Son Woong-jung, director of SON Soccer Academy who has been sued on charges of child abuse, and the father of the victim child, a recording of a conversation between the victim’s father and Son’s legal representative has been released.

Soccer player Son Heung-min (left), Son Woong-jung, director of SON Soccer Academy (right). [Image source=Yonhap News, Instagram capture]

Recording Released: "Isn't the image of Director Son Woong-jung, Head Coach Son Heung-yoon, and Player Son Heung-min worth 500 million won?"

On the 28th, entertainment media Dispatch released a transcript of a conversation between Kim Hyung-woo, a lawyer from Myungryun Law Firm representing Director Son, and Mr. B, the father of the child victim A. The two met at an undisclosed location on April 19 to discuss the settlement amount. Mr. B demanded 500 million won from Son’s side. He said, "If we keep this from the public and settle amicably, isn’t it just about the money now?" and added, "I have no intention of settling for a small amount. I think it should be at least 500 million won." He continued, "Usually, the maximum settlement for child abuse is about 15 million won (typically 15 to 30 million won). I know that. But this is a special case, isn’t it?" and said, "Director Son Woong-jung and Son Heung-yoon (Son Heung-min’s older brother) are both involved. If we are to settle, money is important, but considering the damage to their image, isn’t 500 million won worth it?"

Mr. B also said, "I talked with my lawyer and was told, 'Ask for 2 billion won. Don’t settle for less than 500 million won.' That’s the truth." When lawyer Kim replied, "The academy and the director don’t have money," Mr. B mentioned Son’s son, soccer player Son Heung-min (31, Tottenham Hotspur). Mr. B said, "(The 500 million won demand) is not excessive. Now, Son Heung-min is transferring for 400 billion won or so, and even if it’s not about Heung-min, Director Son runs an agency, doesn’t he?" He added, "Celebrities settle for 200 to 300 million won when they get into fights with taxi drivers, and Kim ○○ settles for 500 million won after hitting someone while drunk. You know how much settlement money famous celebrities pay, right?" This was interpreted as implying that since the images of Son Heung-min and Head Coach Son Heung-yoon, both related to Director Son, are at stake in this 'special case,' demanding a settlement in the hundreds of millions of won is justified.

"If there’s no confidentiality, I can settle for 20 million won," then reversed saying "Why do such things?" when asked to settle

Mr. B also mentioned the media and the Korea Football Association. He said, "I want to tell the media and the Football Association to shut them down," and added, "If you report to the Football Association, won’t the license be suspended or revoked? Blocking the media and continuing football, is 500 million or 1 billion won really a waste of money?" He then said, "I think it’s fortunate I didn’t ask for 2 billion won. It’s not about the money," and requested a settlement of 500 million won on the condition of confidentiality. When Mr. B said, "If I don’t care whether it’s reported in the media or not, I can settle for 20 to 30 million won," lawyer Kim asked, "How about 20 million won without a confidentiality clause?" Mr. B reversed, saying, "After lawyer fees, there’s nothing left. Why would I do such a thing while even writing a non-prosecution request?"

When Director Son refused to budge, Mr. B lowered the settlement demand from 300 million won to 200 million won, then to 150 million won. He even offered lawyer Kim a rebate, saying, "If you get 500 million won, I will secretly give you 100 million won." However, Director Son insisted on rejecting any settlement exceeding 30 million won, saying, "Do not link this case to Heung-min," "If what we did was wrong, we will accept punishment," and "There is no need to pay a large sum to set a bad precedent," leading to the final breakdown of the settlement talks. Afterwards, Mr. B leaked photos of his son’s bruises to the media.

Victim’s side: "They are causing secondary harm by portraying themselves as people demanding huge settlement money despite no wrongdoing"

Ryu Jae-yul, lawyer from Joongshim Law Firm representing A, criticized in an interview with Yonhap News, "They are implying that they have done nothing wrong while portraying the accuser as someone demanding a huge settlement, which is secondary harm." He added, "Director Son did not apologize or contact at all, and through lawyers, proposed conditions such as writing a non-prosecution request, banning media leaks, and prohibiting disciplinary requests to the Football Association. The victim’s side only expressed anger emotionally, not seriously discussing specific settlement amounts." He further stated, "This was not a one-time incident. The child endured ongoing abuse while training away from parents in a dormitory and finally found the courage to speak out."

"Corporal punishment during training is true but was done in front of parents... Reflecting on failure to keep up with changing times"

Earlier, Director Son and two coaches including Son Heung-yoon were sued in March by A, who was training at the academy. The victim’s side claimed that during a training camp in Okinawa, Japan, in the same month, A was beaten in a prone position by coaches for losing a match, resulting in swelling and bruises. They also alleged that Director Son frequently used harsh language and grabbed and pushed the back of A’s neck. However, Director Son’s side explained that no specific player was verbally abused, corporal punishment did occur, but it was done in front of parents.

Regarding the claim by A’s parents that "Director Son did not apologize," lawyer Kim explained, "Director Son feared that direct contact or visits would cause greater conflict," and added, "Instead, a few days after the lawsuit, two coaches including Son Heung-yoon visited A to apologize."