Embezzlement, mismanagement uncovered in Badminton Korea Association
An Se-young, who won the women's singles in badminton at the Paris Olympics, talks to reporters after arriving at the Incheon International Airport, Aug. 7. Yonhap
After launching an investigation into the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) following allegations by Olympic gold medalist An Se-young, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism revealed multiple issues including potential embezzlement by BKA President Kim Taek-gyu in a progress report, released Tuesday.
An, who won the women's singles title at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sent shockwaves in August when she announced her intent to leave the national team. While citing the team's inadequate handling of her knee injury, she later criticized the BKA's restrictive policies. These policies include limiting non-national representative players from competing internationally and mandating the use of equipment provided by the association's sponsors, rather than allowing personal sponsorships.
In response to these allegations, the sports ministry formed an investigative team immediately after the Olympics. Led by Lee Jung-woo, director-general of the ministry's sports bureau, the team has been examining the overall operations and policies of the BKA.
"An's interview during the Olympics shed light on outdated practices in the sports world," Lee said during a briefing over the probe at the Annex Building of Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday.
"We formed an investigative team immediately afterward and gathered input from 22 national team athletes (out of 48 total due to scheduling issues). They voiced concerns regarding injury management, mandatory use of sponsors' equipment, conditions of the athletes' training centers and restrictions on international competitions."
Lee Jung-woo, director-general of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's sports bureau, speaks during a progress report briefing over the ministry's inspection of the Badminton Korea Association (BKA) at the Annex Building of Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
One of the pressing issues uncovered in the probe, according to the ministry, was the alleged embezzlement and breach of trust by the BKA president.
In 2023, Kim reportedly arranged a secret 150 million won ($111,618) deal with a sponsor to secure additional goods, which were distributed to regional badminton associations affiliated with him.
A similar arrangement followed in 2024, involving 140 million won worth of sponsor-provided goods. These items were either distributed by the BKA or used as gifts at general assembly meetings, in violation of auxiliary program guidelines.
The ministry is now reviewing the use of these funds and has demanded that the BKA submit documentation outlining their distribution.
"The association has violated the law governing subsidy management and there is a possibility of embezzlement and breach of trust," Lee said. "We have already filed a complaint with law enforcement and will provide additional evidence once the investigation is complete."
The ministry also discovered that the association had procured supplies worth 2.6 billion won through private contracts with sponsors, in violation of the subsidy management act.
Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Badminton Korea Association, arrives at Incheon International Airport, Aug. 7. Kim accompanied the team to the Paris Olympics and returned ahead of the athletes. Yonhap
The investigation also highlighted the BKA's rule requring athletes to use sponsor-provided equipment, a practice openly condemned by the badminton star. This mandate included critical items such as rackets and shoes, imposed without considering the athletes' preferences.
"Most national team athletes interviewed said they want to use their own equipment, especially when it affects their performance,” Lee said, adding that other major badminton associations in countries like the U.S., Japan and France allow athletes more freedom in choosing performance-related gear.
Regarding the BKA's policy that prevents non-national team players from participating in World Badminton Federation (WBF)-sanctioned international events — a policy also criticized by An — the ministry noted that this restriction limits athletes' professional opportunities and expressed intentions to recommend abolishing the rule.
Korea's badminton star An Se-young competes against China's He Bingjiao during the women's singles badminton gold medal match during the 2024 Paris Olympics at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris, Aug. 5. Reuters-Yonhap
The investigation also raised questions about the fairness of the national team selection process. While singles players are chosen based solely on performance, doubles players are currently judged 70 percent on performance and 30 percent on evaluations by a selection committee, which could be subjective.
"In most Olympics and Asian Games sports, both in Korea and internationally, national team athletes are selected using objective criteria. Subjective evaluations are largely excluded," the ministry stated.
The culture ministry vowed to "use this investigation as an opportunity to correct these wrongs and ensure the association serves athletes and coaches."
A final report is expected by the end of the month.