Controversy Over Choi Cheol-won's Candidacy for Ice Hockey Association President Inspired by Movie 'Veteran' and 'Matt-gab Assault'

Choi Cheol-won, CEO of M&M. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Choi Cheol-won, CEO of M&M and the perpetrator of the so-called 'Matt-gab assault' incident, is causing controversy by running for president of the Korea Ice Hockey Association.

On the 17th, the Korea Ice Hockey Association announced that as of the candidate registration deadline on the 8th, CEO Choi and former Kyung Hee University College of Physical Education alumnus Jeon Young-deok have registered as candidates for the 24th association president election.

CEO Choi was the perpetrator of the 'Matt-gab assault' incident in 2010, where he hit a truck driver affiliated with the Cargo Solidarity with a baseball bat. He was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison in the first trial but was released on probation in the second trial.

In 2010, Choi Cheol-won called a truck driver who was protesting for employment succession into his office, assaulted him with a baseball bat, and handed over 20 million won, calling it 'Matt-gab' payment. The case was brought to trial, and he was sentenced to 6 months in prison in the first trial but avoided imprisonment with probation in the second trial.

Regarding this, the association's regulations clearly state that individuals who have caused social controversy cannot run for office, but the election management committee approved the candidate registration after discussion. Consequently, the sports and political communities are strongly demanding that CEO Choi withdraw his candidacy, stating he is unqualified for the presidency.

The Korea Ice Hockey Association allowed the candidate registration, stating, "After comprehensively considering all matters, it is unclear whether he falls under disqualification, and therefore it is difficult to regard him as disqualified."

The Sports Citizens' Coalition issued a statement on the 15th demanding the candidate's withdrawal, saying, "This directly violates the association's bylaws that prohibit individuals who have caused social controversy from becoming executives."

Political circles have also raised concerns. On the 16th, Jang Tae-soo, spokesperson for the Justice Party, briefed at a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, stating, "(Although he avoided legal punishment, he could not escape public anger) Even now, while he has obtained the association's approval, he has not gained the sympathy of sportspeople."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "At a time when there are many demands for improvement of sports human rights, we expect a wise choice from the ice hockey electorate," and expressed that if CEO Choi is elected, they will request strict judgment from the Korea Sports Council, which has the authority to approve the president.

The 'Matt-gab assault' incident was also the subject of the film Veteran, which dealt with the corruption of conglomerates. Actor Yoo Ah-in, who played the role of CEO Choi, assaulted the character of the driver, played by actor Jung Woong-in, who came to collect overdue wages, saying "This is ridiculous," and handed over money according to the number of assaults.

The association president election will be held on the 17th at the Seoul Olympic Parktel and will be decided by the votes of 100 eligible voters.

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