Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Gov't to conduct special audit into sexual violence in sports circle
Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hae, center, announces plans to carry out special audit into physical and sexual violence in sports community, during a press briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, Friday, together with Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Do Jong-hwan, left, and Gender Equality and Family Minister Jin Sun-mee. / Yonhap
By Kim Rahn
By Kim Rahn
The government will conduct a special audit of the Korea National Sport University (KNSU) in February over allegations of physical and sexual violence involving athletes and the alleged attempt to cover this up in the “closed sports circle,” it said Friday.
This is part of the government's efforts to root out corruption and violence in the sports community, which has been highlighted by the recent revelation of sexual assaults against short track speed skating star Shim Suk-hee.
“All allegations, ranging from facility management, admission, grading and accounting to sexual assaults, will be subject to the audit,” Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said in a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul after a meeting with ministers in relevant fields.
“I urge athletes and staffers belonging to the university to actively report any suspicions.”
The school has become the target because many allegations involve high-profile officials and trainers there. Its elitist training has produced many good athletes and achievements in international competitions, but its huge influence has resulted in factional disputes in the sports circle with discrimination against those who did not attend the school. And it is believed that the sports organizations, dominated by KNSU alumni, have tended to cover up irregularities committed by its former and current members.
The education, sports, and gender equality ministries, along with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, will set up a special investigation team and question 63,000 student athletes on rights abuses and physical and sexual violence.
The team will investigate “sports clubs” at the school by the end of February, and conduct in-depth interviews in cases where male coaches provide training to female students, considering the recent sexual assault allegations took place in such circumstances.
The government will also request the National Assembly to discuss creating a law to establish an independent body to review ethical lapses in the sports circle.
“We will have zero tolerance toward abuse and sexual violence that trainers have inflicted on young athletes,” Yoo said.