"Business Class Too Expensive to Ride, but 'Lucky Biki'... Equestrian Association President's 'Economy Class Proof Shot'"

Park Seoyoung, President of the Korea Equestrian Federation, Certification Shot Sparks Attention
"All Business Trips Are Self-Funded"

The Korea Badminton Association has clarified allegations regarding former executives' use of business class seats on flights, while Park Seoyoung, president of the Korea Equestrian Federation, recently attracted attention by posting a photo of herself seated in economy class.

On the 8th, Park posted a photo on her Instagram with the caption "On my way to Korea," showing her seated on what appears to be an emergency exit seat in economy class.

Seoyoung Park, President of the Korea Equestrian Federation. [Image source=Instagram]

Park stated, "Actually, I don't receive a single won from the association, and all business trips are self-funded, so no one really cares. But at this timing, I wanted to take an economy class certification shot because it somehow feels like a 'lawmaker who only visits traditional markets during holidays.' I really wanted to try it." She added, "I just couldn't buy a business class ticket because it was expensive," and continued, "To be able to adopt the concept of an honest association president?could this be 'Lucky Vicky' or something like that?"

Earlier, following a candid statement by Ahn Seyoung (Samsung Life), the Korea Badminton Association was embroiled in controversy over executives flying business class. In response, the association issued a press release on the 9th stating, "Since the current executive term began in 2021 until this Olympics, most overseas trips by association executives were made using economy class."

They further explained, "The association's travel expense regulations allow the president and vice presidents to use business class, but since 2021, executives have been using economy class to save budget, which is then additionally allocated to athlete training expenses." They added that when international organizations such as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) provide airline tickets, business class is used. However, the association acknowledged that during the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, when the previous executive team was in charge, all vice presidents and above used business class, which drew media criticism.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will begin an investigation into the Korea Badminton Association starting on the 12th. On the 5th, the ministry announced it would comprehensively review the current system, subsidy execution, and the operational status of the Badminton Association in relation to issues raised by Ahn Seyoung's interview concerning athlete management and decision-making during the Paris Olympics. The ministry plans to form an investigative team of more than 10 personnel and announce the results next month.