Son Heung-min's father sued on charges of child abuse
Son Heung-min's father, coach Son Woong-jung, who runs the youth soccer training organization 'SON Soccer Academy,' and the coaching staff have been sued for allegations of child abuse, including verbal abuse and physical punishment of affiliated youth players.
According to Yonhap News on the 26th, three individuals—Director Son, Coach A, and Coach B—have been accused of child abuse under the Child Welfare Act. They are currently being transferred to the prosecution for investigation.
This incident arose after the victim child, C, filed a complaint on March 19 of this year, stating that during a training camp in Okinawa on March 9, Coach A hit C's thigh with a corner kick post, causing a wound that required two weeks of treatment.
C-gun side claimed during police investigation that they received instructions from Coach A to run from the goalpost to the center line within 20 seconds due to losing, and when they failed to come in on time, they were hit on the buttocks with a corner kick pole while lying face down.
It is reported that during the Okinawa winter training period from March 7 to 12, the player stated that they received verbal abuse from Coach Son, citing reasons such as making mistakes during training and being unable to perform basic skills well. Additionally, it is said that players belonging to the academy team were repeatedly hit on the buttocks and calves by Coach B in the dormitory where they live together, and that there were also allegations of being pulled by their sideburns or hit on the head.
Father of Group C expressed in an interview with Yonhap News that he was deeply disappointed that his child was involved, and when thinking about how scared and frightened his son must have been, he felt angry. He also decided to file a lawsuit, believing that such incidents should not happen again.
In this regard, Director Son sent a statement to Yonhap News Agency, stating, "Currently, an investigation is underway regarding the recent use of harsh language during academy training and the corporal punishment that occurred during physical training." He expressed, "I sincerely apologize to the children who were emotionally hurt and their families," but also added, "However, since many of the claims made by the complainant are not consistent with the facts, the academy is not distorting or hiding the facts and is openly revealing the truth without any exaggeration, actively cooperating with the investigation."
Director Son said, "Since the incident occurred, the Academy has apologized to the complainant and has been making efforts to resolve the matter amicably." He continued, "However, the complainant demanded hundreds of millions of won in settlement money, which the Academy could not accept under any circumstances, and unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement. We are currently awaiting a fair legal judgment based on the exact facts without any separate settlement." He also claimed, "The events that took place at that time and the subsequent circumstances are situations where the memories and statements of those who directly experienced them do not match."
He said, "I swear on everything I have, there has never been any words or actions by the leaders of the Academy that lack love for the children." He also stated, "I do not think I have not done what I should have, nor do I think I have done what I should not have." Furthermore, he added, "I reflect on the fact that I have only guided the children in my own way without catching the changes of the times and the standards set by the law, and I will find other ways to ensure that the children can demonstrate their maximum concentration on the field and immerse themselves in training."
<Source: Chosun Ilbo>
Hmm... the two sides' opinions are different ㅠㅠㅠ
He was a person with a firm philosophy of life..
I thought it was someone different from Park Se-ri's father...
How could something like this happen?ㅠㅠ
I think we need to wait and see more of the investigation results... ;;