[2025 Audit] Middle School Student Collapses from Cerebral Hemorrhage at Boxing Tournament... No Medical Staff Present

"No Safety Management Plan for a 1,500-Participant Tournament"
Allegations of Cover-Up Raised

Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Gye-won protests against Koo Ja-geun, the People Power Party's standing member of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, who is making a procedural speech at the National Assembly plenary session on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Concerns have been raised regarding a lack of on-site medical support and allegations of downplaying the incident after a middle school student collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage during a boxing match.

On October 27, during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, Assemblyman Jo Gye-won urged Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, to strengthen oversight and implement measures to prevent recurrence, stating, "The absence of a medical system caused us to miss the golden hour." He emphasized, "Since the death of boxer Kim Duk-koo in 1981, it has been mandatory for a doctor to be present at boxing matches. The association must not undermine a system built on the sacrifices of athletes."

At the 55th Presidential National City and Province Boxing Tournament held in Jeju in September, a middle school athlete collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage during the match and underwent surgery, but as of the article's publication date, has not regained consciousness. There was no medical staff present at the venue at the time, and the private ambulance lacked professional personnel.

Assemblyman Jo criticized, "Despite having as many as 1,500 participants, not even a safety management plan was submitted," and demanded that the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee review whether it fulfilled its responsibility to oversee the event. He also pointed out that the organizers required minors to sign a waiver stating they would not be held liable for injuries, and called for the abolition of such waivers. In response, President Yoo agreed, saying, "It should indeed be abolished."

Attempts to downplay or cover up the incident were also brought to light. Assemblyman Jo stated, "The technical committee member who raised the issue was pressured by association executives," and called for measures to protect whistleblowers. He further mentioned that the victim's father attempted to take his own life while trying to raise awareness of the incident and is now under police investigation, urging the sports committee to provide support so that the victim's family can receive leniency.