Joo Ho-young, Holding Hands with Late Choi Sook-hyun's Father, Says "We Will Clear the Injustice"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 10th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, met with the father of the late triathlon athlete Choi Sook-hyun and promised, "We will establish fundamental measures to ensure that the recurring issues of verbal abuse and physical violence in the sports world are not justified as mere customs."

On the morning of the same day, Floor Leader Joo held a meeting with Choi's father at the National Assembly and said, "We will clear up the grievances." Present at the meeting were Lee Yang-su, chairman of the 'Task Force (TF) for the Truth Investigation of the Late Athlete Choi Sook-hyun and the Protection of Athletes' Human Rights,' and Representative Lee Yong.

At the meeting, Floor Leader Joo comforted Choi's father, saying, "As a parent, I can only imagine the heartbreaking pain you are going through, and I feel deeply sorry." He added, "Choi sought help from various government agencies, but no one responded in time. Moreover, some in the political sphere, while claiming to resolve Choi's grievances, probed into personal details and appeared to defend the perpetrators, leaving even deeper wounds in the bereaved family's hearts," sharply criticizing the ruling party.

He pledged that "this time, we must root out such problems in the sports world," promising that the United Future Party would take a leading role.

Choi's father said, "Having fought alone and exhausted, my child made such an extreme choice, but I am grateful that now there is a good environment to reveal the truth." He added, "The Daegu District Prosecutors' Office and Gyeongbuk Police Agency are investigating, and I hope this leads to strict punishment for the perpetrators, several tens of times harsher than the pain our Sook-hyun endured."

United Future Party lawmakers urged thorough investigations by the authorities and announced plans to conduct a fact-finding investigation at the National Assembly level.

Representative Lee Yong said, "The coach and athletes have been permanently banned, but legal procedures remain," urging, "Please conduct a proper investigation to clear up the grievances."

Chairman Lee Yang-su also stated, "The Korea Sports Council has disciplined the coach and two athletes, but there is no law preventing them from becoming coaches again after 2-3 years. According to cases investigated, even though they were permanently banned, some registered with other institutions and continued coaching." He emphasized, "Moreover, it seems they are seeking legal counsel to avoid judicial punishment, but only when judicial measures are perfectly implemented can the grievances be alleviated."

Chairman Lee continued, "We urge the National Assembly to hold a hearing as soon as possible," adding, "If a hearing is held, we will do our best to resolve the issue by presenting solid evidence centered on Representative Lee Yong."

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