Late Choi Sook-hyun's Repeated Assault, Director Kim Gyu-bong Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The court sentenced former coach Kim Gyubong to 7 years in prison for habitual assault against the late athlete Choi Sookhyun.

The 12th Criminal Division of Daegu District Court (Chief Judge Lee Jingwan) on the 29th sentenced former Gyeongju City Hall Triathlon Team coach Kim Gyubong, who was detained and indicted on charges including habitual special injury, to 7 years in prison; former team captain Jang Yoonjeon to 4 years in prison; and athlete Kim Dohwan to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation.

Coach Kim was charged with habitually assaulting the late athlete Choi Sookhyun and others 18 times since 2014. He is also accused of deceiving the athletes into personally bearing the cost of overseas training camp airfare, embezzling a total of about 74 million won from them.

On this day, the court stated, "The defendants used their superior positions within the team to carry out prolonged verbal abuse, physical assault, and harsh treatment. The greatest victim, athlete Choi Sookhyun, suffered and ultimately made an extreme choice at the age of 22. Although the defendants repent and seek forgiveness, Choi cannot accept their apologies."

Meanwhile, the court previously sentenced sports therapist Ahn Joohyun, who was charged with harsh treatment of the late athlete Choi, to 8 years in prison and a fine of 10 million won.

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