Seoul education chief's remarks on Asian Cup tussle stir controversy

Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education gives a speech during a graduation ceremony at Cheong Am Middle and High School in Seoul's Nowon District, Friday. Yonhap

Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) has stirred up controversy over his remarks on the reported tussle between Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain ahead of Korea's loss to Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Cup earlier this month.

Cho said Son, the national team captain, should have "set a good example" for schools and society by embracing Lee and making up after the quarrel. Regarding this, some internet users said Cho made an odd request by asking the victim to extend an olive branch to the attacker.

The criticisms came as Son, 31, had dislocated his finger in a dustup with teammates, including Lee, 22, on Feb. 5, on the eve of the country's shocking loss at the top Asian tournament. The tussle was first reported by British media, The Sun, and confirmed by the Korea Football Association.

Son Heung-min reacts during a Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Feb. 10. Son played with his right index and middle fingers strapped together as he had injured his finger in a dustup with teammates on the eve of the semifinals of the Asian Cup on Feb. 6. Reuters-Yonhap

On Sunday, Cho said in a social media post that the incident gave him an opportunity to think about school violence and ways of resolving conflicts.

"In school violence cases, conflicts are not resolved through reconciliation. People involved with cases, including parents, incite hostility and conflicts to pursue their own interests. Something similar happens in political circles and our society," Cho said. "I expect Son to set a good example in a way of resolving conflicts. I hope Son will embrace Lee and make up with him."

In response, an online user wrote, "Son had been injured [due to that tussle]. I don't understand why Cho asked Son to make an apology."

Another online user wrote, "There is a jump in the logic of Cho's comparison between football and school violence cases."