The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) notified Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, of his suspension from duty on the 11th.
The MCST stated, "In accordance with the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, we have requested an investigation by the authorities into allegations of misconduct against President Lee Ki-heung and urged a prompt investigation, and have suspended his duties."
On the 10th, the Government Joint Public Service Inspection Team of the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced the results of an investigation into the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee regarding misconduct, and requested an investigation into President Lee and others for reasons including fraudulent hiring of employees, demands for sponsorship goods (including money and valuables), and private use of sponsored goods.
On the 11th, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and said, "We have not yet officially received the results from the Office for Government Policy Coordination's inspection team," adding, "Once we receive it, they will likely request disciplinary action from us, and we can suspend the duties of the President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee."
Article 52-3 (Request for Investigation of Misconduct, etc.) Paragraph 2 of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions stipulates that if the head of the competent institution determines that an executive of a public institution has committed or is suspected of misconduct such as bribery, sexual crimes, or hiring irregularities, which undermines ethical management under Paragraph 1, the head must request an investigation or audit by investigative agencies such as the prosecution or police, or audit agencies such as the Board of Audit and Inspection, and may suspend the duties of the relevant executive. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee is a public institution (other public institution) under this law, and its president is considered an executive of a public institution.
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