"Gold Medal Stolen"... Ruling and Opposition Presidential Candidates Angry Over China's Short Track 'Biased Judging'

Hwang Daeheon and Lee Junseo Disqualified Unexpectedly
Yoon Honggeun, Team Leader, "Requesting Immediate Meeting with IOC President Today"

Hwang Daeheon of the Korean short track speed skating national team shows a disappointed expression after being disqualified in the first heat of the men's 1000m semifinal at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, on the afternoon of the 7th, the third day of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid the controversy over 'biased judgment' in the short track speed skating event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties raised their voices in criticism.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, wrote on his Facebook page on the 7th, "I cannot contain my disappointment and anger over the biased judgment in the Beijing Winter Olympics short track event," adding, "I hope our athletes do not lose heart. Our athletes who gave their best until the end with skill are the true winners."

Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party candidate, met with reporters on the 8th after attending a science and technology forum at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saying, "I deeply empathize with the anger and frustration of our athletes and want to express my condolences to them," and added, "Seeing the situation at this Olympics, I worry that our children might be very disappointed about the issue of fairness."

He continued, "However, since the Olympic spirit and sportsmanship are great, I hope our athletes cheer up and do their best until the very end."

Korean short track speed skating national team member Lee Jun-seo is sprinting in the men's 1000m semifinal race held on the afternoon of the 7th, the third day of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Korean short track representatives Hwang Dae-heon (Gangwon Province Office) and Lee Jun-seo (Korea National Sport University) were disqualified due to questionable judgments despite finishing first and second in their heats in the men's 1000m semifinals at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics held at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China. Both athletes were penalized and disqualified for late lane changes, resulting in Chinese athletes, who finished third in their heats, advancing to the finals.

Regarding this, Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party candidate, criticized on Facebook, "China must immediately cancel the dirty judgment and return South Korea's gold medal," adding, "The sweat and effort of our athletes were destroyed by China's dirty judgment. Our athletes' gold medals were stolen due to biased short track judgments. It is a wrong judgment that no one can understand."

He further stated, "If China, after inviting the world, damages the Olympic spirit and pursues only its own interests in a biased manner, this Winter Olympics will end not as a festival for the world but as a shabby family party for China alone," and "China must apologize not only to South Korea but also to athletes worldwide."

He also said, "China's behavior this time is a very disgraceful act that destroys the spirit of sports and cannot be accepted by anyone in the world," and "As a presidential candidate of South Korea, I strongly urge them to correct the wrong judgment themselves."

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party candidate, also wrote on Facebook, "The Olympic spirit is being damaged by questionable judgments," adding, "Many citizens from around the world are finding hope by watching the Beijing Winter Olympics amid the COVID-19 disaster. This Olympics must be more fair and just than any other." She added, "I hope our athletes stay strong," and "Everyone knows who the true winners are."

On the 8th, at the Main Media Center (MMC) in Beijing, China, Yoon Hong-geun, the head of the South Korean delegation, is speaking about the short track refereeing issue during an emergency press conference for the South Korean team at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has decided to directly protest to Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, regarding the judgment controversy that arose in the short track events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Yoon Hong-geun, the head of the Korean delegation, held an emergency press conference at the Main Media Center (MMC) in Beijing, China, on the morning of the day regarding the biased judgment in the men's 1000m short track semifinals. Yoon said, "On behalf of the Korean delegation, I apologize and ask for forgiveness as the head of the delegation for failing to protect the youth of our young short track athletes. I am truly sorry."

He continued, "We have sent a letter of protest to the International Skating Union (ISU) and the IOC to strongly raise objections. We have requested a direct meeting with President Bach through Lee Ki-heung, the chairman of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and Yoo Seung-min, an IOC member," adding, "We plan to strongly request that unfair incidents never happen again. We will use all means and methods to ensure that such incidents never occur again in the international skating and sports community."

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