'Child Abuse Controversy' Director Son Ungjeong and Two Coaches Summoned for Prosecutor Investigation

The prosecution summoned and investigated Coach Son Woong-jung, father of player Son Heung-min, and others in connection with allegations of child abuse at the youth soccer training institution 'SON Soccer Academy' operated by him.

According to the legal community on the 3rd, Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office summoned and investigated three people, including Coach Son, Head Coach Son Heung-yoon, and Coach A, who are accused of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act, the day before. This was the first summons investigation since the case was handed over from the police.

Director Son Woong-jung (Photo by Yonhap News)

Earlier, Child B, who attended SON Soccer Academy, filed a complaint on March 19, stating, "On March 9, during training camp in Okinawa, Head Coach Son hit B's thigh with a corner kick pole, causing injuries that required two weeks of treatment," accusing Coach Son and others.

During the police investigation, the complainant stated that four children, including B, were hit on their prone bodies with the corner kick pole during training. Additionally, it was included that Coach Son verbally abused them for making mistakes during training.

The Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, which investigated the case, sent Coach Son and two others to the prosecution in mid-April.

Regarding this, Coach Son stated, "I swear that there was never any speech or behavior by the academy instructors that was not based on love for the children," and added, "I reflect on the fact that I failed to catch up with the changes of the times and the standards set by law and only coached the children in my own way." He further explained, "However, many parts of the complainant's claims are different from the truth, so the academy is disclosing the facts without distortion or concealment and is actively cooperating with the investigation."

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