Judged as "spontaneous acts of violence"
"Lowest level of disciplinary action" imposed
Victim's side applies for retrial, citing "repeated abuse"
Son Woongjung, the father of soccer player Son Heungmin and director of SON Soccer Academy, along with other coaches from the academy, have received suspensions ranging from three to six months following their conviction for child abuse charges.
According to Yonhap News on May 21, the Sports Fairness Committee of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Football Association recently decided to suspend Director Son and Coach A for three months as a follow-up measure based on the results of an investigation by the Sports Ethics Center, which operates under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The committee determined that "the verbal abuse was a spontaneous act and falls under the category of minor offenses of a similar nature." The committee also imposed a six-month suspension on Head Coach Son Heungyun, stating that "the assault and injury were spontaneous and there are special circumstances to consider."
This represents the lowest level of disciplinary action for coaches found guilty of violence under the regulations of the Sports Fairness Committee. Coaches who receive a suspension are prohibited from participating in any competitions organized by the Sports Council or related organizations until the suspension period is over.
Ryu Jaeyul, the attorney representing the child victim, applied for a retrial, stating, "It is difficult to consider the abuse as spontaneous since it was repeated multiple times." It has also been confirmed that Son and the other two coaches have recently filed for a retrial, contesting the disciplinary action.
Previously, in February, the Sports Ethics Center concluded its investigation into the youth player abuse case at SON Soccer Academy and determined that Director Son, Head Coach Son Heungyun, and another coach were guilty of acts of violence. In accordance with regulations, the center requested the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to instruct the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee to demand disciplinary action against all the accused from the relevant sports organizations.
Last October, Director Son and the others were issued a summary order by the Chuncheon District Court, which included a fine of 3 million won each and an order to complete 40 hours of child abuse treatment programs, on charges of physically or emotionally abusing the child victim (in violation of the Child Welfare Act).
According to the victim's side, on March 9 of last year during a training camp in Okinawa, Head Coach Son Heungyun struck the victim's thigh with a corner flagpole, causing injuries that required two weeks of treatment. The incident occurred after a match was lost; the coach instructed the player to run from the goalpost to the halfway line within 20 seconds, and when the player failed to do so in time, he was made to lie down and was struck on the buttocks with the flagpole.
During the same training camp in Okinawa, from March 7 to 12 of last year, the victim was verbally abused by Director Son for making mistakes during training, as well as for poor performance in both matches and basic skills training. At the academy dormitory, players were repeatedly struck on the buttocks and calves by Coach A, and also had their sideburns pulled or were hit on the head.
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