[Press Conference]
KSOC President Yoo Seung-min Accused of Corruption: "Yoo Seung-min, who is turning the sports world into a hotbed of corruption, must resign.“
The Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society held a press conference and filed a complaint to hold Korea Sports and Olympic Council (KSOC) President Yoo Seung-min accountable for his corruption.
On February 28th, four months have passed since Yoo Seung-min (hereafter Yoo Seung-min) took office as the 42nd President of the KSOC. Yoo, who champions young, hard-working leadership, was elected by the sports community and began his term on February 28th.
However, while serving as President of the Korea Table Tennis Association, Yoo Seung-min was investigated by the Korea Sport Ethics Center (KSEC) for serious misconduct, including illegal sponsorship rebates and the switching of national team members. As a result, the misconduct was confirmed and disciplinary action was requested, leading to an unprecedented situation.
However, this disciplinary request was ultimately transferred to the Korea Table Tennis Association (where Yoo Seung-min served as president) or the KSOC (where Yoo Seung-min served), once again starkly revealing the structural limitations of the sports world, which has no choice but to resort to so-called "self-disciplinary measures.“
Furthermore, Yoo Seung-min seems fully aware of this situation, which is inevitably advantageous to him. While expressing his intention to accept the KSEC’s decision, he has refused to accept responsibility for the illegal sponsorship rebates, acting as if the regulations themselves were the problem. He has also justified the switching of national team players with the incomprehensible criterion of "anyone can see it." He has demonstrated a base perception that the laws and regulations are flawed.
This not only fails to meet the expectations of citizens living in a country governed by the rule of law, but also tarnishes the reputation of athletes by portraying the sports world as a hotbed of unrepentant corruption.
Furthermore, while only the executives have been indicted, Yoo Seung-min, the one most responsible, is simply stalling and seeking loopholes. This has led to a situation where it's difficult to expect Yoo Seung-min to have a sense of responsibility or trust as an organizational leader.
Consequently, the Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society have joined forces to file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Yoo Seung-min for his role in the illegal rebate payments and national team swapping scandal. On Wednesday, July 9th, at 3:00 PM, a press conference was held in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the complaint was filed.
1. Date and Location: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 3:00 PM, in front of the main gate of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (31 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
2. Hosts: Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society
3. Order of Action
- Explanation of the Summary of the Complaint: Kim Hyun-soo (Civic Network for Justice in Sport)
- Reading of the Press Release: Jeong Yong-cheol (Cultural Action, Alternative Sports Association)
- Submission of the Complaint Following the Press Conference
[Press Conference]
KSOC President Yoo Seung-min Accused of Corruption: "Yoo Seung-min, who is turning the sports world into a hotbed of corruption, must resign.“
The Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society held a press conference and filed a complaint to hold Korea Sports and Olympic Council (KSOC) President Yoo Seung-min accountable for his corruption.
On February 28th, four months have passed since Yoo Seung-min (hereafter Yoo Seung-min) took office as the 42nd President of the KSOC. Yoo, who champions young, hard-working leadership, was elected by the sports community and began his term on February 28th.
However, while serving as President of the Korea Table Tennis Association, Yoo Seung-min was investigated by the Korea Sport Ethics Center (KSEC) for serious misconduct, including illegal sponsorship rebates and the switching of national team members. As a result, the misconduct was confirmed and disciplinary action was requested, leading to an unprecedented situation.
However, this disciplinary request was ultimately transferred to the Korea Table Tennis Association (where Yoo Seung-min served as president) or the KSOC (where Yoo Seung-min served), once again starkly revealing the structural limitations of the sports world, which has no choice but to resort to so-called "self-disciplinary measures.“
Furthermore, Yoo Seung-min seems fully aware of this situation, which is inevitably advantageous to him. While expressing his intention to accept the KSEC’s decision, he has refused to accept responsibility for the illegal sponsorship rebates, acting as if the regulations themselves were the problem. He has also justified the switching of national team players with the incomprehensible criterion of "anyone can see it." He has demonstrated a base perception that the laws and regulations are flawed.
This not only fails to meet the expectations of citizens living in a country governed by the rule of law, but also tarnishes the reputation of athletes by portraying the sports world as a hotbed of unrepentant corruption.
Furthermore, while only the executives have been indicted, Yoo Seung-min, the one most responsible, is simply stalling and seeking loopholes. This has led to a situation where it's difficult to expect Yoo Seung-min to have a sense of responsibility or trust as an organizational leader.
Consequently, the Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society have joined forces to file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Yoo Seung-min for his role in the illegal rebate payments and national team swapping scandal. On Wednesday, July 9th, at 3:00 PM, a press conference was held in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the complaint was filed.
1. Date and Location: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 3:00 PM, in front of the main gate of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (31 Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
2. Hosts: Civic Network for Justice in Sport, Cultural Action, Sports Human Rights Institute, and the Culture, Arts, and Sports Committee of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society
3. Order of Action
- Explanation of the Summary of the Complaint: Kim Hyun-soo (Civic Network for Justice in Sport)
- Reading of the Press Release: Jeong Yong-cheol (Cultural Action, Alternative Sports Association)
- Submission of the Complaint Following the Press Conference