Badminton Association President Actively Denies Payback Allegations: "It's Just Sponsored Goods"

Director Kim Hak-gyun on National Team Internal Practices: "Should Have Taken Care, But Was Inadequate"

Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Korea Badminton Association, denied allegations of 'payback' that raised the possibility of embezzlement and breach of trust charges. The Badminton Association also decided to revise regulations that force national team players to use sponsor products.

Appearing as a witness at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's current issues inquiry on the 24th, he said, "I sincerely apologize for the controversy caused," but added, "These are sponsor products, not paybacks. The association has never registered sponsor products in the books before."

Kim Taek-gyu, President of the Badminton Association, responding [Photo by Yonhap News]

Last year, the association received approximately 150 million won worth of additional goods through a verbal contract while purchasing shuttlecocks and other items under a government-supported project. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism pointed out possible violations of the Subsidy Management Act and the possibility of embezzlement and breach of trust charges regarding this matter.

This year, a written contract was made to receive goods worth about 140 million won. Boxing and badminton are the only Olympic and Asian Games sports where the use of sponsor products, including equipment directly related to performance such as rackets and shoes, is mandated.

Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Badminton Association, promised, "Regulations cannot be changed just because I personally want to, but I will change them." Regarding criticism over the 30% payback from sponsorship funds used at his discretion, Kim said, "It has now been properly distributed."

Kim also said, "About 52% of the league business was conducted by Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Chungnam, so payments were made with differentiation. This year, we are trying to distribute evenly."

However, concerning the fact that nearly 30% of the total volume was concentrated in the Taean-gun Badminton Association last year, he said, "I did not send it; the Taean-gun association president used it that way, and we are recovering it and have dismissed him."

Regarding the regulation that 'players must obey the instructions of coaches and the association,' Kim said, "It will be deleted through the board of directors," and about the regulation limiting contract money and salaries for rookie professional players, he said, "We will work with the Professional Federation to improve it." He also said he would change the regulation that forces national team players to use sponsor products.

Additionally, Kim Hak-gyun, the head coach of the national team, spoke about the internal practice where junior players were responsible for laundry and cleaning until recently, saying, "I also tried to guide the elimination of this practice. I should have taken better care, but it was insufficient."

Earlier that day, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed a photo of blisters on the sole of Paris Olympic gold medalist An Se-young’s foot, who had complained about discomfort from sponsor shoes, at the meeting.

Director Cha Yun-sook of the association and Jeon Kyung-hoon, president of the Professional Federation, criticized President Kim to his face. Director Cha said, "I reported the payback controversy to the Sports Fairness Committee and inquired about it, but never received a response," adding, "It is shameful that due to backward administration, we cannot protect players or meet public expectations."

President Jeon said, "Four recreational athletes went to the Paris Olympics, but I, an elite representative, was not invited," and criticized, "The association president should embrace both recreational and elite sports, but this is not the right direction now."

In response, President Kim claimed that elite sports figures obstructed the association’s administration, stating, "It is true that elites do not listen. Because of the old-timers, the association cannot develop further."