Sports Civic Group Criticizes Son Woong-jung Over 'Child Abuse Controversy' "Calls for Strict Investigation"

Joint Statement by Sports Civic Groups
"Speech and Behavior Based on Love Are No Different from Human Rights Violations"
Forum Held on the 4th to Assess the Current State of Children's and Youth Sports Human Rights

Sports civic organizations criticized SON Soccer Academy coaches, including Director Son Woong-jung, who have been embroiled in child abuse controversies, in a joint statement on the 1st.

Cultural Solidarity Alternative Sports Association, the Minbyun Cultural Arts Sports Committee, the Sports Human Rights Research Institute, and the Sports Civic Solidarity stated, "Despite a social consensus on ending violence in sports, we cannot help but feel devastated that such incidents have occurred again."

These organizations criticized, "The academy coaches claimed in their statement that the penalty of a first-come, first-served running race between coaches and players was mutually agreed upon, and that 'there was no speech or behavior without the premise of love for the children.' This is no different from perpetrators of past human rights violations in the sports world."

They continued, "Children who silently train to become successful athletes and the coaches who hold their leashes are never on equal footing. Is it possible to have bets or agreements on corporal punishment from an equal position?"

They also added, "There is no guarantee that similar child abuse does not exist in other private soccer academies. Many children, adolescents, and parents may be silently enduring sports violence, overshadowed by the 'Son Heung-min myth.'"

The organizations demanded that SON Soccer Academy prepare protection and support measures for the affected children and called on the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. They also emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into sports violence within private soccer academies.

These groups plan to hold a forum on the 4th at Space M in Mapo-gu, Seoul, under the theme "The Current Status of Child and Adolescent Sports Human Rights Reviewed Through the SON Soccer Academy Sports Violence Incident."

Meanwhile, Son Woong-jung, father of Son Heung-min and director of the academy, along with two coaches affiliated with the academy, have been sued for verbal abuse and corporal punishment of youth players. They have been referred to the prosecution on charges of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act and are undergoing investigation. Director Son stated, "There was never any speech or behavior without the premise of love for the children," and added, "I will reflect on having guided the children in my own way without recognizing the changes of the times and the standards set by law."