Perpetrators Face 'One-Strike Out'... Incheon City Takes Action to Protect Athletes' Human Rights

Enactment of the "Athlete Human Rights Protection Ordinance" and Establishment of a Safe Reporting Window for Victims

The athletes known as perpetrators in the case of the late Choi Sook-hyun appeared as witnesses at the "Hearing on Harassment of Triathlon Athletes and Human Rights Violations in the Sports Sector" held at the National Assembly, bowing their heads. 2020.7.22 / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is implementing special measures to prevent human rights violations and harsh treatment of athletes, including the introduction of a 'one-strike-out' system for perpetrators.

On the 18th, the city announced that it has established its own human rights protection measures for athletes, recognizing that human rights violations such as (sexual) violence in the sports community have not yet been eradicated, citing incidents such as the tragic suicide of the late Choi Sook-hyun, a former member of Gyeongju City Hall's sports team, in June.

First, the city will enact the 'Ordinance for the Protection and Promotion of Athletes' Human Rights.'

The ordinance includes ▲ the mayor's responsibilities for protecting athletes' human rights ▲ conducting human rights education for athletes ▲ establishing or delegating victim reporting and counseling organizations, as well as investigations and corrective recommendations by Incheon City's human rights protection officer ▲ and the formulation of a basic plan for human rights protection.

The city will also strengthen human rights protection education for sports coaches and athletes. To effectively enhance athletes' human rights awareness, the education will be conducted not as formal group sessions but as small-scale, customized specialized training visiting sports teams directly.

Additionally, the city will directly establish and operate a reporting window for human rights violations against athletes.

By directly receiving reports, providing victim counseling, and conducting investigations, the city aims to create an environment where victims of human rights violations can report incidents with confidence.

A 'one-strike-out' system will be introduced for perpetrators.

Once disciplinary actions (such as suspension of qualifications) by the sports association against offending coaches or athletes are confirmed, the city plans to dismiss them from their teams ex officio, thereby expelling human rights violators from sports teams.

Mayor Park Nam-chun stated, "Through these special measures, we have established a system that robustly protects athletes' human rights. We will continue to strive to improve the wrong practices and culture in the sports community and expand communication with the sports field."

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