Civic groups call on IOC to punish Korea’s committee

Local civic groups said Friday they’ve sent a letter urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to punish Korea’s Olympic body for its negligence of duty to protect athletes.

Nearly 10 civic groups, including Culture Action and the Civic Network for Justice of Sport, said they’ve sent a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach to call for punishment to be given the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC).

“The Olympic Charter prioritizes humanity, but the KSOC doesn’t respond properly to issues like violence, sexual assault and other human rights violations in sports,” the groups said. “The KSOC is even suspected of helping suspended coaches return to their sport.”

The groups claimed that human rights abuses of athletes are not a recent issue but a problem that has persisted for a long time, adding that almost all athletes, coaches and officials in Korea are fully aware of the situation.

Yonhap