“Request for investigation into suspicions of embezzlement and breach of trust”
[서울=뉴시스] Reporter Bae Hoon-sik = Director Lee Jeong-woo of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is announcing the results of the Korea Badminton Association’s office inspection and auxiliary project performance inspection at the Seoul Government Complex annex in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 31st. 2024.10.31. [email protected]
[서울=뉴시스]Reporter Park Yoon-seo = The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism demanded the dismissal of Kim Taek-gyu, president of the Korea Badminton Association, who was embroiled in suspicions of embezzlement of sponsorship items and breach of trust.
At the final briefing on the results of the Badminton Association’s investigation held at the annex of the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 31st, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, “We submitted our opinions through the Korea Sports Council the previous day for the preliminary procedure for recovery of violations of the subsidy law, such as paying fees to the management company of association executives. “We requested the Songpa Police Station to investigate the allegations of embezzlement of sponsorship items and breach of trust on the 29th, and we request the dismissal of Chairman Kim Taek-gyu, who is responsible for violating the Subsidy Act, and severe disciplinary action against the Secretary-General,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, under the leadership of Chairman Kim, a shoe contract worth 150 million won was signed last year to receive additional supplies without the knowledge of sponsors and association employees. Sponsored items were distributed randomly. This year, it violated the subsidy law by signing a written contract for 140 million won worth of sponsorship items.
Lee Jeong-woo, director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who headed the investigation team, said, “If the Association’s Sports Fair Committee does not dismiss Chairman Kim, we will request that the Sports Association take disciplinary action. If that fails, we will push for the designation of a management organization,” adding, “The Sports Council has the authority to designate a management organization.” “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Sports Council are experiencing various problems, but they must agree on issues related to the association.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism attempted to conduct a face-to-face investigation with Chairman Kim ahead of the investigation briefing, but the meeting did not take place. Chairman Kim refused to comply with the investigation and expressed his refusal.
Sports Director Lee said, “On September 26th, we conducted a face-to-face investigation with association officials except Chairman Kim, who refused the investigation. Afterwards, we requested Chairman Kim to appear for the investigation several times, but in the end, we were unable to proceed.” “We will give you the opportunity to submit your opinions during the one-month appeal period given after notification of the results of the investigation.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism claimed that it would change old practices and expand support by reflecting the opinions of the national team players as much as possible.
Director Lee said, “During the process of injury diagnosis, rehabilitation, and treatment, we guarantee players the option to receive treatment at the medical institution of their choice. In addition, there is an absurd culture such as going out on weekends and public holidays, restrictions on staying out, cleaning, doing laundry, and reporting to seniors when going out.” “We will improve and increase the number of national badminton team leaders so that customized training for the national badminton team can be conducted in singles and doubles.”
He continued, “We will improve the system so that the participation of personal trainers of athletes is allowed during training, and ensure that athletes are guaranteed a certain period of rest rather than having to immediately enter the athletes’ village when they return home from international competitions. In addition, the competition grade is adjusted accordingly. Accordingly, we support the participation of first- and second-tier players in strategic international competitions.”
The unreasonable system that exists only in the Badminton Association is improved, and players’ rights are strengthened.
Sports Director Lee said, “We are eliminating the restrictions on players participating in international competitions. We are abolishing the restrictions on players participating in overseas leagues and overseas invitational games at their own expense. Other Olympic and Asian Games events (44 events) do not have these restrictions. “There is no such thing, but only the Badminton Association is regulating it,” he said. “We will ensure that players can choose rackets and shoes that are directly related to their performance, and we will also improve players’ salaries and contract periods.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized that it would give the association a last chance to improve the system and warned that if wrong practices were not changed, it would take special measures to completely stop designating a management organization and budget support.
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