Late Choi Sook-hyun's Father: "My Grudge Lies in Nagging Her to Overcome... Perpetrators Must Be Punished"

Kim Seok-ki of the United Future Party (from left), Representative Lee Yong, Choi Young-hee, father of the late Choi Sook-hyun, and Representative Lee Yang-su explain the proposal of the so-called "Late Choi Sook-hyun Act," an amendment to the National Sports Promotion Act that includes the establishment and operation of temporary protection facilities and prohibition of secondary harm for whistleblowers or victims in urgent need of protection, at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Choi Younghee, the father of the late athlete Choi Sookhyun, who tragically took her own life last month after suffering abuse from her team coach, team doctor, and seniors, stated, "The perpetrators who deny the abuse without offering an apology must face strict legal punishment."

On the 10th, Choi held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying, "I have been losing sleep trying to contain my boiling anger," and added, "Legal measures must be established to prevent such tragic incidents from happening again."

Regarding the perpetrators' testimony that Choi suffered due to family pressure and coercion, he rebutted, "Sookhyun had a strong will and passion for sports from a young age, and she loved sports so much that she represented the youth and national triathlon teams. What parent in the world would forbid their child from doing what they love and excel at?"

Previously, the trio including Gyeongju City Hall coach Kim Gyubong and captain Jang Yoonjung testified during an investigation by related authorities that "(Choi) was struggling because of her family. She actually had a good relationship with us."

Choi added, "Farming all my life, watching over my daughter was my only joy. But if I had known earlier that the Gyeongju City Hall team was like a hellish world for Sookhyun, I would never have let her join."

He expressed his feelings, saying, "Every time Sookhyun was struggling, I was heartbroken that I only listened to Kim Gyubong and Jang Yoonjung, who scolded her to 'endure it'."

Choi voiced opposition to the possible disbandment of the Gyeongju City Hall team following this incident. He said, "It is absolutely not right to hold the entire Gyeongju City Hall team responsible and demand its disbandment. The team must remain intact." He continued, "Triathlon is an unpopular sport that lacks proper national support and requires training under difficult conditions. Sookhyun, who loved triathlon, would have wished more than anyone else for a world-class triathlete to emerge from Korea."

He further stated, "Legal systems must be established to prevent tragic incidents like this, where victims have no place to turn and feel forced to make extreme choices. My earnest request to Representative Lee Yong was to create the 'Sookhyun Act' to ensure that no more unjust victims like Sookhyun will ever occur again."

Regarding Kim Dohwan, a player who initially denied assault charges but recently admitted to his wrongdoing and visited Choi Sookhyun’s columbarium, Choi said, "At least he has a conscience. Kim’s mother called me, crying and apologizing, asking for forgiveness. I will accept an apology after Kim Dohwan fully cooperates with the investigation and faces legal punishment."

Meanwhile, Representative Lee Yong of the United Future Party announced plans to propose the 'Sookhyun Act' on the same day, which includes provisions for prompt action upon reports of sports violence.

Coach Kim and captain Jang of Gyeongju City Hall, who are accused of assaulting and verbally abusing Choi, have been permanently banned by the Korea Triathlon Federation’s Sports Fairness Committee. However, they continue to deny the allegations.

Choi was found dead on the morning of the 26th last month at a lodging in Busan after sending a text message to her family saying, "Please reveal the crimes of those who tormented me." She had been subjected to ongoing group bullying and violence during her lifetime.

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