An Se-young's 'Determined Statement' Backlash... "Calling for Association President's Resignation Is Wrong Action"

"Kim Taek-gyu Must Resign" VS "For the Interests of the Establishment"
Korea Badminton Association Divided Over 'Responsibility' Issue

Presidents of city and provincial associations affiliated with the Korea Badminton Association (KBA) have criticized the calls for Chairman Kim Taek-gyu's resignation as "wrong behavior." Members of the association are divided and experiencing conflict between those urging Kim's resignation and those insisting he should not step down.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, 16 individuals, including the presidents of 15 city and provincial associations and the president of the Middle and High School Badminton Federation, issued a statement asserting, "At a time when everyone should unite to worry and contemplate the future of our association, the statement and resignation demands from some vice presidents and directors are wrong actions aimed at protecting certain vested interests." They urged the vice presidents and directors calling for Kim's resignation to "stop disregarding the sincerity and efforts of those working hard to resolve issues so that the association can return to normal."

Korean badminton is currently facing repercussions following the remarks of An Se-young (22, Samsung Life), the "Queen of Shuttlecock," who won the gold medal in women's singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She stated, "The association blocks everything while neglecting under the name of freedom." Following An Se-young's criticism of the association and the overall management of the national team, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched an investigation, and on the 10th, the possibility of applying charges of embezzlement and breach of trust against Chairman Kim was mentioned.

Lee Jung-woo, Director of the Sports Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is giving an interim report on the audit of the Badminton Association and subsidy inspection at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul, on the 10th. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had launched an investigation into various allegations surrounding the Korea Badminton Association. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the 14th, Vice Presidents Kim Jung-soo, Choi Jung, Shin Young-min, and Kim Young-seop issued a separate statement demanding the simultaneous resignation of Chairman Kim, Executive Director Kim Jong-woong, and Auditor Park Gye-ok. Subsequently, on the 22nd, 14 directors of the association also released a statement demanding the resignation of Chairman Kim, Executive Director Kim Jong-woong, and Auditor Park Gye-ok. The Badminton Association is composed of a total of 40 members, including 1 chairman, 6 vice presidents, 1 executive director, 30 directors, and 2 auditors.

On the same day, voices criticizing the resignation demands against Chairman Kim as wrong also emerged. The 16 individuals who issued the statement added, "We feel a heavy responsibility for the current situation and will actively convey opinions to revise flawed systems and regulations so that the Korea Badminton Association can be normalized. We will also calmly examine and improve the wrong structural malpractices that need to be corrected."

Meanwhile, the issue of the Badminton Association is scheduled to be addressed during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee’s current affairs inquiry on the 24th. Chairman Kim has also been summoned as a witness.