Junior National Jump Rope Athlete "Coach Sexually Assaulted Me for Over a Year... Verbal Abuse if I Refused"

"Demanding Sexual Relations Regardless of Time and Place"
Verbal Abuse and Insults Toward Female Middle School Athlete

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A female middle school student in 3rd grade, who is a national jump rope athlete, reported that she was sexually assaulted by her university student coach for over a year, prompting the police to launch an investigation. The coach is reportedly denying the allegations.

According to the Uijeongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province on the 3rd, A (16), a national jump rope athlete, filed a complaint on the 28th of last month, stating that she had been sexually assaulted by coach B (26) for over a year.

A, who began training at a university last January, claimed, "B suggested that we live together at his multi-unit house along with other students," and reassured A's parents by saying, "Other athletes are also there, so don't worry."

However, A claimed that she was sexually assaulted a few months after the training camp began.

Handwritten statement by national jump rope athlete Ms. A. / Photo by MBC 'News Desk' broadcast screen capture

In her handwritten statement, A said, "During training, (the coach) kept saying 'Let's do it,' and if I didn't respond with 'Okay,' he demanded sexual relations until the training ended," adding, "If I refused, he used harsh insults and abusive language. He demanded it regardless of time or place."

She continued, "I had to endure the coach's verbal abuse and sexual assault to achieve my dream of becoming a national jump rope athlete, and I couldn't show my dislike," adding, "I was scared, distressed, and in pain when I got annoyed or angry, but I couldn't disobey. Please punish this person more severely," she pleaded.

A part of the conversation between the jump rope coach and Ms. A. / Photo by MBC, screenshot from the 'News Desk' broadcast

In fact, coach B reportedly used derogatory remarks and insults such as "crazy bastard," "damn son of a bitch," and "fatty" toward A, and when she rejected his demands, he pressured her by saying, "I treat you well, but you take me for a pushover."

Meanwhile, coach B is known to have consistently recommended trainees to participate in competitions. Unlike other sports, jump rope does not have a corporate team system (sports organizations where athletes work for a company while training), so those recognized for their skills mainly at community sports events are selected as national representatives to compete in international competitions.

Lee Hyun-sook, executive director of the youth human rights organization 'Talkthin Tomorrow,' stated, "It is difficult to view this as a consensual relationship," suggesting that power dynamics likely played a role between the adult coach and the minor athlete.

However, the coach strongly denies the sexual assault allegations.

The police have secured related evidence from A's mobile phone through digital forensic work and plan to summon the coach soon. They also plan to expand the investigation, considering the possibility of additional victims.

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