Controversy Over Jiu-Jitsu Athlete's Comment "Can I Hit?" Against Coeducation... Association to Discipline

Seoul Jujitsu Association "Possibility of Violation of Dignity Maintenance"

The student council of Hanyang Women's University posted an official statement on social media expressing solidarity with Dongduk Women's University's 'protest against the transition to coeducation,' but a representative athlete from the Seoul Jiu-Jitsu Association left an inappropriate comment, causing controversy.

Hanyang Women's University student council 'Hangyeol' posted a statement titled "Why should women's universities exist?" on their official Instagram on the 12th, expressing solidarity with the Dongduk Women's University student council. Currently, Dongduk Women's University students are condemning the school's unilateral discussion on transitioning to coeducation and have been continuing an on-campus sit-in protest for three days.

In response, athlete A, affiliated with the Seoul Jiu-Jitsu Association, left a comment saying, "Can I hit you?" This incident spread across online communities and social media, escalating the controversy.

The Student Council of Hanyang Women's University is embroiled in controversy after the representative athlete of the Seoul Jiu-Jitsu Association left inappropriate comments on social networking services (SNS). Screenshot from an online community.

As criticism continued, the Seoul Jiu-Jitsu Association issued a statement on the 13th apologizing on behalf of athlete A for "unnecessary and violent language and behavior" and bowed their heads in apology. They also announced that disciplinary procedures would begin.

The association stated, "Since yesterday afternoon, comments about a specific athlete started appearing on our Instagram, and several people explained the incident to us sufficiently via DM," adding, "Based on the explanations, we judged that there is a possibility of assault or violation of athlete dignity, and according to the regulations of the higher organization, we plan to hold an interim sports fairness committee meeting."

They continued, "The association has determined that there is a possibility of assault or violence and violation of athlete dignity, and according to the regulations of the higher organization, we plan to hold an interim sports fairness committee meeting," explaining, "The disciplinary level will be decided based on a comprehensive judgment of the athlete's statement, criminal case rulings, and the fairness committee meeting. The athlete may face penalties such as disqualification, suspension from competition, or warnings. The official results will be announced as soon as the disciplinary decision is made."