On the evening of 16 April 2026, the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program (Cohort 1) held its first session. The program is designed not only to introduce the concept of sports and human rights but also to strengthen participants' practical capacity to support those facing human rights issues in sport. In particular, the course focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to counseling situations and unexpected challenges they may encounter while working in the field of sports and human rights.
The opening lecture was delivered by Dr. Yong Chul Chung, a sports psychologist who has long advocated for sports and human rights through various civil society organizations. Drawing on his experience counseling athletes, Dr. Chung shared how he repeatedly encountered cases of human rights violations and structural problems within the sporting environment. These experiences led him to recognize that many of the challenges faced by athletes are not simply individual issues but recurring systemic problems. This realization gradually expanded his role from researcher to human rights advocate.
Dr. Chung explained that while sport has many positive qualities, it also has a darker side. In Korea, he noted, the performance-oriented culture within sport has contributed to the repeated occurrence of human rights violations. Because these problems stem from institutional and structural factors rather than the shortcomings of individuals, they must be understood from a broader, systemic perspective.
At the same time, he emphasized the positive values that can be cultivated through sport. Using examples such as boxing and writing, he explained that anyone can achieve meaningful growth through consistent practice and perseverance. Such experiences, he suggested, offer important insights for both education and counseling.
Dr. Chung also invited participants to reflect on how to better support people whose rights have been violated in sport. As a guiding principle, he introduced the concept of hospitality. When a person comes before us, he explained, they bring with them their past, present, and future. Rather than seeing someone simply as a person with a problem, we should welcome them as a whole person with a unique life story. Cultivating this attitude of empathy and openness, he argued, is the starting point for putting human rights into practice.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Chung posed a final question to the participants: "What is the most important quality for someone who supports human rights in sport?" Participants shared a range of thoughtful responses, including courage, perseverance, and other personal reflections.
The second session will be led by Dr. Hyung Joo Lee, who will speak on "Counseling Victims of Human Rights Violations in Sport." We look forward to another engaging and meaningful discussion.
The second session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by human rights counselor Dr. Hyung Joo Lee, who spoke on the topic of counseling victims of human rights violations in sport. Dr. Lee began by discussing the unique characteristics of the environment in which sports-related human rights violations occur. The structure of competitive sport often makes it difficult for victims to speak out. Strict discipline, hierarchical control, and the closed nature of team culture can create significant barriers to seeking help. As a result, many victims spend a long time struggling with their experiences before finally reaching out for counseling.
She then emphasized the fundamental principles of victim-centered counseling. Counselors, she explained, should set aside their own biases and preconceived notions and approach each client with respect for their unique experiences, perspectives, and emotions. Creating a safe and supportive environment begins with recognizing and validating the individual's lived experience.
Rather than offering immediate solutions, counselors should empower clients to make their own decisions by supporting them throughout the decision-making process. Dr. Lee stressed the importance of using open-ended questions that allow clients to speak freely and at their own pace. She also recommended that counseling records accurately reflect the client's own words and experiences whenever possible, preserving their voice instead of replacing it with the counselor's interpretations.
Dr. Lee also addressed the counselor's responsibilities in crisis situations, such as when there is a risk of self-harm or suicide. In such circumstances, counselors should ask clear, respectful, and direct questions to assess the level of risk and, when necessary, notify appropriate organizations or guardians to ensure the client's safety. Finally, she reminded participants that supporting others requires taking care of themselves as well. Counselors are also vulnerable to emotional exhaustion and burnout, making it essential to develop healthy strategies for rest, recovery, and self-care. Her closing message was a gentle reminder that caring for oneself is an important part of caring for others.
The third session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by Eun Sook Choi, an investigator at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). Under the theme "Human Rights Investigations and Administrative Support in Sport," the session explored the purpose of human rights investigations, the role of investigators, and the unique characteristics of human rights issues in the sporting context. Drawing on her experience since the establishment of the NHRCK in 2002, Ms. Choi shared insights from her work investigating cases involving sports, policing, disability rights, and gender discrimination. She reflected on how both human rights issues and investigative practices have evolved over the past two decades.
Ms. Choi explained that today's human rights issues have become increasingly complex. Unlike many cases in the past, it is often no longer sufficient to establish the facts alone. Modern human rights investigations require not only technical investigative skills but also the ability to understand the broader social context and interpret the circumstances surrounding each case. As the scope of human rights has expanded to include individuals' lived experiences, diverse perspectives, and structural forms of discrimination, those who support and protect human rights must go beyond simply applying rules and regulations. They must also be capable of understanding different viewpoints and the wider social environment in which human rights issues arise.
She emphasized that one of the defining characteristics of investigations conducted by the National Human Rights Commission is that they are not primarily intended to punish offenders. Rather, their purpose is to prevent future violations, improve institutions and policies, and foster a more human rights-friendly environment. Another important distinction is that the Commission's investigations focus on determining whether constitutional rights have been violated. Unlike court proceedings, they do not require extensive legal knowledge or a formally articulated legal claim in order for an investigation to begin, making the process more accessible to victims.
Turning to the field of sport, Ms. Choi observed that many of the same human rights issues identified twenty years ago continue to reappear today. Violence, hierarchical organizational cultures, and recurring violations of human rights remain persistent challenges within the sports community. She stressed that significant efforts are still needed to transform sport into a more human rights-centered environment. She also highlighted the importance of systemic investigations initiated by the Commission itself. Rather than focusing solely on individual acts of violence or abuse, these investigations seek to examine why existing protection and remedy mechanisms fail to function effectively and to identify the structural causes that allow human rights violations to persist.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion on how to strengthen human rights awareness throughout the sporting community and what further efforts are needed to ensure that human dignity and fundamental rights remain at the center of investigations and administrative support in the field of sport.
The fourth and final session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by attorney Jeong Hwa Seo under the theme "Practical Simulation." The session focused on how human rights violations in sport are addressed through legal procedures and what kinds of responses are most effective in the early stages of victim support and counseling.
Attorney Seo emphasized the critical role of counselors and support personnel in the initial stages of assisting victims. She explained that, in human rights cases, evidence and the consistency of a victim's testimony are often the most decisive factors. Records, notes, and audio recordings collected during the initial counseling process can later serve as crucial evidence in criminal, administrative, and civil proceedings.
She then outlined the criminal justice process, explaining how a case proceeds through the police, prosecution, and the courts. A victim's initial statement, she noted, can have a lasting impact throughout the entire legal process. Because objective evidence is often limited in cases involving sexual violence or physical assault, the victim's first testimony, counseling records, and even messages sent to family members or friends immediately after the incident may become key evidence in establishing credibility. She also stressed that police investigations often require victims to recall events in considerable detail, making it important for victims to record their memories or organize them during counseling while the events remain fresh.
Drawing on an actual case of school violence, Attorney Seo illustrated how bullying, verbal abuse, and harassment among student-athletes may fall within the scope of school violence procedures, even when they do not lead to criminal prosecution. In such cases, reporting the incident through the school violence response system can provide an important avenue for protection and redress. She also introduced the basic framework of civil litigation, in which victims may seek compensation for damages from those responsible for the harm they have suffered.
One particularly important practical point was the legal status of recordings. Attorney Seo explained that audio recordings made by a participant in a conversation—such as a victim or counselor—are generally lawful. Such recordings, together with detailed counseling records, can become valuable evidence when substantiating a claim of human rights violations. However, she cautioned that publicly disclosing or distributing recorded conversations without proper authorization may give rise to legal issues, including defamation, and should therefore be handled with great care.
Overall, the session focused on strengthening the practical skills of counselors and support personnel by examining how victims' statements can be carefully documented, preserved, and protected throughout the legal process. By connecting legal principles with real-life cases, the lecture provided participants with practical guidance they could apply in the field. At the conclusion of the session, participants commented that the use of real cases made the legal concepts much easier to understand and apply.
On the evening of 16 April 2026, the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program (Cohort 1) held its first session. The program is designed not only to introduce the concept of sports and human rights but also to strengthen participants' practical capacity to support those facing human rights issues in sport. In particular, the course focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to counseling situations and unexpected challenges they may encounter while working in the field of sports and human rights.
The opening lecture was delivered by Dr. Yong Chul Chung, a sports psychologist who has long advocated for sports and human rights through various civil society organizations. Drawing on his experience counseling athletes, Dr. Chung shared how he repeatedly encountered cases of human rights violations and structural problems within the sporting environment. These experiences led him to recognize that many of the challenges faced by athletes are not simply individual issues but recurring systemic problems. This realization gradually expanded his role from researcher to human rights advocate.
Dr. Chung explained that while sport has many positive qualities, it also has a darker side. In Korea, he noted, the performance-oriented culture within sport has contributed to the repeated occurrence of human rights violations. Because these problems stem from institutional and structural factors rather than the shortcomings of individuals, they must be understood from a broader, systemic perspective.
At the same time, he emphasized the positive values that can be cultivated through sport. Using examples such as boxing and writing, he explained that anyone can achieve meaningful growth through consistent practice and perseverance. Such experiences, he suggested, offer important insights for both education and counseling.
Dr. Chung also invited participants to reflect on how to better support people whose rights have been violated in sport. As a guiding principle, he introduced the concept of hospitality. When a person comes before us, he explained, they bring with them their past, present, and future. Rather than seeing someone simply as a person with a problem, we should welcome them as a whole person with a unique life story. Cultivating this attitude of empathy and openness, he argued, is the starting point for putting human rights into practice.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Chung posed a final question to the participants: "What is the most important quality for someone who supports human rights in sport?" Participants shared a range of thoughtful responses, including courage, perseverance, and other personal reflections.
The second session will be led by Dr. Hyung Joo Lee, who will speak on "Counseling Victims of Human Rights Violations in Sport." We look forward to another engaging and meaningful discussion.
The second session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by human rights counselor Dr. Hyung Joo Lee, who spoke on the topic of counseling victims of human rights violations in sport. Dr. Lee began by discussing the unique characteristics of the environment in which sports-related human rights violations occur. The structure of competitive sport often makes it difficult for victims to speak out. Strict discipline, hierarchical control, and the closed nature of team culture can create significant barriers to seeking help. As a result, many victims spend a long time struggling with their experiences before finally reaching out for counseling.
She then emphasized the fundamental principles of victim-centered counseling. Counselors, she explained, should set aside their own biases and preconceived notions and approach each client with respect for their unique experiences, perspectives, and emotions. Creating a safe and supportive environment begins with recognizing and validating the individual's lived experience.
Rather than offering immediate solutions, counselors should empower clients to make their own decisions by supporting them throughout the decision-making process. Dr. Lee stressed the importance of using open-ended questions that allow clients to speak freely and at their own pace. She also recommended that counseling records accurately reflect the client's own words and experiences whenever possible, preserving their voice instead of replacing it with the counselor's interpretations.
Dr. Lee also addressed the counselor's responsibilities in crisis situations, such as when there is a risk of self-harm or suicide. In such circumstances, counselors should ask clear, respectful, and direct questions to assess the level of risk and, when necessary, notify appropriate organizations or guardians to ensure the client's safety. Finally, she reminded participants that supporting others requires taking care of themselves as well. Counselors are also vulnerable to emotional exhaustion and burnout, making it essential to develop healthy strategies for rest, recovery, and self-care. Her closing message was a gentle reminder that caring for oneself is an important part of caring for others.
The third session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by Eun Sook Choi, an investigator at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). Under the theme "Human Rights Investigations and Administrative Support in Sport," the session explored the purpose of human rights investigations, the role of investigators, and the unique characteristics of human rights issues in the sporting context. Drawing on her experience since the establishment of the NHRCK in 2002, Ms. Choi shared insights from her work investigating cases involving sports, policing, disability rights, and gender discrimination. She reflected on how both human rights issues and investigative practices have evolved over the past two decades.
Ms. Choi explained that today's human rights issues have become increasingly complex. Unlike many cases in the past, it is often no longer sufficient to establish the facts alone. Modern human rights investigations require not only technical investigative skills but also the ability to understand the broader social context and interpret the circumstances surrounding each case. As the scope of human rights has expanded to include individuals' lived experiences, diverse perspectives, and structural forms of discrimination, those who support and protect human rights must go beyond simply applying rules and regulations. They must also be capable of understanding different viewpoints and the wider social environment in which human rights issues arise.
She emphasized that one of the defining characteristics of investigations conducted by the National Human Rights Commission is that they are not primarily intended to punish offenders. Rather, their purpose is to prevent future violations, improve institutions and policies, and foster a more human rights-friendly environment. Another important distinction is that the Commission's investigations focus on determining whether constitutional rights have been violated. Unlike court proceedings, they do not require extensive legal knowledge or a formally articulated legal claim in order for an investigation to begin, making the process more accessible to victims.
Turning to the field of sport, Ms. Choi observed that many of the same human rights issues identified twenty years ago continue to reappear today. Violence, hierarchical organizational cultures, and recurring violations of human rights remain persistent challenges within the sports community. She stressed that significant efforts are still needed to transform sport into a more human rights-centered environment. She also highlighted the importance of systemic investigations initiated by the Commission itself. Rather than focusing solely on individual acts of violence or abuse, these investigations seek to examine why existing protection and remedy mechanisms fail to function effectively and to identify the structural causes that allow human rights violations to persist.
The session concluded with an engaging discussion on how to strengthen human rights awareness throughout the sporting community and what further efforts are needed to ensure that human dignity and fundamental rights remain at the center of investigations and administrative support in the field of sport.
The fourth and final session of the Sports Human Rights Capacity-Building Program was led by attorney Jeong Hwa Seo under the theme "Practical Simulation." The session focused on how human rights violations in sport are addressed through legal procedures and what kinds of responses are most effective in the early stages of victim support and counseling.
Attorney Seo emphasized the critical role of counselors and support personnel in the initial stages of assisting victims. She explained that, in human rights cases, evidence and the consistency of a victim's testimony are often the most decisive factors. Records, notes, and audio recordings collected during the initial counseling process can later serve as crucial evidence in criminal, administrative, and civil proceedings.
She then outlined the criminal justice process, explaining how a case proceeds through the police, prosecution, and the courts. A victim's initial statement, she noted, can have a lasting impact throughout the entire legal process. Because objective evidence is often limited in cases involving sexual violence or physical assault, the victim's first testimony, counseling records, and even messages sent to family members or friends immediately after the incident may become key evidence in establishing credibility. She also stressed that police investigations often require victims to recall events in considerable detail, making it important for victims to record their memories or organize them during counseling while the events remain fresh.
Drawing on an actual case of school violence, Attorney Seo illustrated how bullying, verbal abuse, and harassment among student-athletes may fall within the scope of school violence procedures, even when they do not lead to criminal prosecution. In such cases, reporting the incident through the school violence response system can provide an important avenue for protection and redress. She also introduced the basic framework of civil litigation, in which victims may seek compensation for damages from those responsible for the harm they have suffered.
One particularly important practical point was the legal status of recordings. Attorney Seo explained that audio recordings made by a participant in a conversation—such as a victim or counselor—are generally lawful. Such recordings, together with detailed counseling records, can become valuable evidence when substantiating a claim of human rights violations. However, she cautioned that publicly disclosing or distributing recorded conversations without proper authorization may give rise to legal issues, including defamation, and should therefore be handled with great care.
Overall, the session focused on strengthening the practical skills of counselors and support personnel by examining how victims' statements can be carefully documented, preserved, and protected throughout the legal process. By connecting legal principles with real-life cases, the lecture provided participants with practical guidance they could apply in the field. At the conclusion of the session, participants commented that the use of real cases made the legal concepts much easier to understand and apply.