[EDITORIALS]Sports corruption

The allegation of wrongdoings by Kim Un-yong, a vice president of the International Olympic Committee and a representative of the Millennium Democratic Party, are being exposed seriatim, tainting Korea’s image overseas.
Mr. Kim has been involved in several scandals, disgracing his position as a IOC member who is honored internationally with protocol approaching that afforded a head of state, and a heavyweight in the world of international sports who was elected a vice president of the IOC. He now faces a summons by the prosecution on corruption charges.
The investigation revealed that Mr. Kim received about a hundred million won ($84,000) from a Korean Olympic Committee member. He demanded money for receptions or as contributions to his work. The prosecutors found about $100,000 in cash in his home.
After Korea’s bid to host the 2010 winter olympic at Pyeongchang failed in July, Mr. Kim was under attack by the committee for obstructing its bidding. He refused the request of the prime minister, Goh Kun, to refrain from running for the post in the IOC because it could drive votes away from Korea’s bid. Two days after Korea failed in its attempt to host the winter games, Mr. Kim was elected to the vice presidency. During an Assembly hearing on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic bidding, Mr. Kim threatened to have the IOC investigate the Korean Olympic Committee and the Pyeongchang bidding committee. The Assembly special committee voted to ask him to step down from his national public posts, but he refused. He never worried about the interests and honor of the nation.
Now that his wrongdoings have been exposed, he must resign from all public duties. That is the minimum to lessen the international damage to Korean sports.
The sports community must do away with Kim-style diplomacy. Relying on shady lobbying brings corruption and international disgrace. We have to open the doors, make things transparent and train our youth to compete proudly on the international stage.