Korean Olympic Committee Faces Controversy Over Illegal Employment and Wage Arrears of International Students in Paris at Korea Ugly House

Assemblyman Jeong Yeon-wook Claims Illegal Operation of Kori House

The Korea Sports Council has been accused of employing local international students without labor contracts and withholding wages while operating the Paris Olympics and Paralympics promotional pavilion, 'Korea House.'

On the 29th, Jeong Yeon-wook, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the People Power Party, stated, "We have confirmed that the Korea Sports Council illegally and inadequately operated Korea House, violating local French laws during its operation."

Citizens are passing in front of Para Team Korea House located in the Marais district of Paris, France. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Representative Jeong, the Korea Sports Council hired international students who were not legally allowed to work as event staff for Korea House, paid wages in cash, and failed to report taxes in accordance with French labor laws. Additionally, event staff responsible for 'visitor guidance and reception, and assisting with event operations' were dispatched without prior consent to support catering at the Korea House opening ceremony.

Representative Jeong also raised issues regarding wage arrears by the Korea Sports Council. While recruiting event staff proficient in French and English, the council did not properly pay overtime allowances and other additional wages. When selecting an agency to manage Korea House, the council set the hourly wage for event staff at around 38 euros per person, but the actual hourly wage paid was the French minimum wage (SMIC) of 11.65 euros.

Although Korea House attracted an average of 4,000 visitors per day and was popular, testimonies from event staff revealed exposure to harsh working conditions. Representative Jeong reported, "some event staff were required to work up to 12 hours a day without breaks during heatwaves, and insects were found in their lunch boxes."

Representative Jeong stated, "The Korean promotional pavilion, Korea House, is being called the Korea Ugly House among local international students in France," and added, "We will relentlessly root out the outdated practices in the sports community."

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