Fair Trade Commission on Late Choi Sook-hyun Case, Demands Attendance of Accused Coaches and Players... Possible Permanent Expulsion

Before Daegu District Prosecutors' Investigation, Sports Fairness Committee Can Discipline Perpetrators

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The Korea Triathlon Federation's Sports Fairness Committee is set to discuss the disciplinary actions against those involved in the late Choi Sook-hyun case on the afternoon of the 6th, with attention focused on whether they will impose severe penalties such as permanent expulsion.

According to industry sources on the 5th, the federation has requested the attendance of the Gyeongju City Hall coach and two senior athletes, who have been identified as perpetrators, at the Sports Fairness Committee. The individual known as the team doctor is not affiliated with the federation, so no attendance request was made. The Triathlon Federation may permanently expel the perpetrators who pushed Choi Sook-hyun to the brink, according to the Sports Fairness Committee regulations.

The Korea Triathlon Federation's Sports Fairness Committee is likely to complete the disciplinary procedures on the 6th.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee and its affiliated organizations often express limitations in investigations, stating, "We are not an investigative agency, so there are limits to our investigations. It is difficult to finalize punishments while the prosecution or police are still investigating."

The case related to Choi Sook-hyun is currently under investigation by the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office. However, even before the investigation results are released, the Sports Fairness Committee can discipline the perpetrators.

Article 24 of the Sports Fairness Committee regulations states that preliminary disciplinary actions can be taken "if the disciplinary reasons for the accused are recognized, even if the related criminal case has not been adjudicated as guilty or is still under investigation by investigative agencies." This means that the coach and senior athletes who assaulted and verbally abused Choi Sook-hyun can be disciplined by the Sports Fairness Committee on the 6th.

Although the federation did not request attendance, the 'therapist known as the team doctor,' who showed the most violent behavior in the recordings, is also subject to discipline.

This is because the Sports Fairness Committee regulations stipulate that "even if the accused resigns, their term expires, they are unregistered, or they retire honorably and are no longer affiliated with the provincial sports council, provincial sports organizations, city/county sports councils, or city/county sports organizations, they can still be disciplined for misconduct committed while affiliated."

The Sports Fairness Committee has also codified "disciplinary standards by violation." Leaders, athletes, referees, and executives who commit "violence" may face "a suspension from competition for three years or more, disqualification for three years or more, or permanent expulsion" if the severity is deemed significant.

The level of violence committed by the coach and senior athletes who deny the allegations will determine the severity of the disciplinary measures.

One senior athlete, along with the coach and team doctor, may also face disciplinary action for bribery and accounting fraud in addition to violence.

There is evidence that Choi Sook-hyun and her family, without clear knowledge of the purpose, were coerced into depositing money into the accounts of the coach, team doctor, and senior athletes. The Korea Triathlon Federation's Sports Fairness Committee can impose disciplinary surcharges up to five times the amount of embezzled or misappropriated public funds.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.