Is IOC overreacting? - The Korea Times

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 08:44

2012 London Olympics

Is IOC overreacting?

‘독도는 우리 땅’과 메달보류.. IOC 과잉반응?

Posted : 2012-08-12 19:07

Updated : 2012-08-12 19:07

Midfielder Park Jong-woo holds up a banner that reads “Dokdo is our land,” after Korea beat Japan in men’s football to win the bronze medal Saturday (KST). The Korean islets have been manned by police since 1954 and are home to a fishing couple; however,
Japan repeatedly claims they are its territory. Following the incident, Park was barred from the medals ceremony, Saturday. Yonhap

Koreans angry over penalty on footballer for Dokdo statement

By Jung Min-ho

Many Koreans are up in arms over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to bar Korean footballer Park Jong-woo from attending the medal ceremony after celebrating Saturday’s victory over Japan with a banner that read “Dokdo is our land.”

The Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) said that Park’s action was not intentional, explaining that he took the banner from fans in the stadium and ran with it after the team defeated Japan to win the nation’s first Olympic football medal.

Despite Park’s explanation, the IOC summarily determined that he violated the Olympic Charter that bars the use of the games for political purposes.

The 23-year-old is now under investigation by the IOC and FIFA for displaying the sign supporting Korea’s sovereignty over the islets. Japan disputes Korea’s Dokdo sovereignty.

Korea has long exercised sovereign rights over Dokdo, having stationed a police garrison there since 1954.

Many Koreans have criticized the IOC’s decision.

Comedian Nam Hee-seok said, “The factual information about our territory is neither political nor controversial.”

Some have also questioned what defines a “political” act, pointing out that the Rising Sun Flag, used by Japan’s imperial army during World War II, has been used by Japan’s cheer squads.

“We have requested (the KOC) take swift action on this issue and that the athlete not be present at today’s medal presentation ceremony,” the IOC said in a statement. “We have opened an inquiry and have asked (Korean officials) for an explanation.”

President Lee Myung-bak made a surprise visit to Dokdo two days before the game. Soon after the visit, Japan recalled its ambassador to Korea and threatened to take the issue to the International Court of Justice.

Only 17 players stood on the podium to receive bronze medals at London’s Wembley Stadium, following Mexico’s 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final with Park remaining in the locker room.

FIFA said it has opened a separate investigation, suggesting there might be further penalties ahead. Pictures of the player holding the sign were handed to football’s governing body it said.

“In view of the information currently at his disposal, the chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee has this afternoon decided to open disciplinary proceedings against the player Park Jong-woo, regarding his behavior after the match played between the Republic of Korea and Japan on Aug. 10,” a FIFA representative said. “The KFA and the player now have a deadline of Aug. 16 to provide their position. Further information will be provided in due course.”

At the game in CardiffMillennium Stadium, Korea beat Japan 2-0 thanks to Park Chu-young’s opener in the 38th minute followed by a strike by Koo Ja-cheol in the 57th.

Jacques Rogge
IOC president

Faced by the IOC’s decision and the strong public backlash, the KOC said the action was unintentional and Park just did it “in the heat of the moment of victory.”

Only 17 players stood on the podium to receive bronze medals at London’s Wembley Stadium, following Mexico's 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final with Park remaining in the changing rooms.

FIFA said it has opened a separate investigation, suggesting there might be further penalties ahead. Pictures of the player holding the sign were handed to football’s governing body it said.

“In view of the information currently at his disposal, the chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee has this afternoon decided to open disciplinary proceedings against the player Jongwoo Park, regarding his behavior after the match played between the Republic of Korea and Japan on Aug. 10,” a FIFA representative said. “The KFA and the player now have a deadline of Aug. 16 to provide their position. Further information will be provided in due course.”

At the game in Cardiff, Korea beat Japan 2-0 thanks to Park Chu-young’s opener in the 38th minute followed by a strike by Koo Ja-cheol in the 57th.

‘독도는 우리 땅’과 메달보류.. IOC 과잉반응?
국제올림픽위원회(IOC)가 일본과의 런던올림픽 남자축구 3-4위전에서 '독도 세리머니'를 펼친 미드필더 박종우(부산)에 대해 메달 수여를 보류하고 진상조사에 나섰다. 대한체육회(KOC)는 11일 오후(현지시간) "IOC로부터 축구대표팀의 박종우를 동메달 시상식에 참석하지 못하게 하라는 통보를 받았다"며 "이런 세리머니가 나온 배경을 조사해서 보고해달라는 요청을 받았다"고 밝혔다. 박종우는 전날 영국 웨일스 카디프의 밀레니엄 경기장에서 열린 일본과의 3-4위전을 끝난 뒤 관중석에서 전달받은 '독도는 우리 땅'이라고 쓰인 종이를 들고 그라운드를 뛰어다녔다. 올림픽 무대에서 정치적 행위를 금지하는 IOC는 박종우의 '독도 세리머니'가 찍힌 사진을 보고 대한체육회에 박종우의 메달 수여식 참석 불가를 통보하고 진상조사를 요청한 것으로 전해졌다. 대한축구협회 관계자는 "관중석에 '독도는 우리 땅'이라고 쓰인 종이들이 많이 보였다"며 "박종우가 관중석에서 종이를 받아 들고 그라운드를 뛰는 모습을 보고 급히 말렸지만 그 과정에서 사진이 찍힌 것 같다"고 설명했다. 그는 "선수들이 동메달을 확보하고 나서 흥분한 나머지 관중이 건네준 종이를 들고 뛴 것 같다"며 "사전에 준비한 세리머니는 절대 아니다"고 밝혔다. IOC의 조치에 따라 박종우는 이날 멕시코와 브라질의 결승전이 끝난 직후 이어진 메달 수여식에 참석하지 못했다. 시상대에는 박종우를 제외한 17명의 선수만 나서 동메달을 받았다. 박종우는 남자축구 결승전이 열린 웸블리 경기장에서 멕시코-브라질전을 지켜봤지만 시상식이 열릴 때는 그라운드에 나서지 못하고 라커룸에서 대기한 것으로 알려졌다. 선수단은 시상식을 마친 뒤 곧장 히스로 공항으로 이동했고, 박종우는 동메달을 받지 못한 채 귀국길에 올랐다. 한편 국제축구연맹(FIFA)은 대한축구협회에 오는 16일까지 박종우의 세리머니에 대한 진상조사서를 제출하도록 요청했다. 이에 따라 축구협회는 대표팀이 귀국하는 12일 이후 박종우의 해명을 들은 뒤 FIFA 전달하기로 했다. (연합뉴스)

mj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr

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