Sports Briefs

TAEKWONDO

Police request warrants for World Taekwondo execs

Korean police have requested arrest warrants for executives at the World Taekwondo Headquarters, also known as Kukkiwon, over allegations of obstruction of business and violation of political funding law.

According to investigative authorities, Gangnam Police Station requested arrest warrants last Friday for Kukkiwon President Oh Hyun-deuk and the organization’s general secretary, Oh Dae-young.

Police had already raided Kukkiwon headquarters twice this year after they were tipped off that the taekwondo body, which is responsible for dan and poom certification, deliberately leaked exam papers to hire a certain job applicant in 2014.

A former Kukkiwon employee, only identified with his surname Kang, told local media in July that there was an exam paper leak in 2014 and some employees had to make an answer sheet for a certain job applicant following a request from high-profile figures at the organization.

Police also said Kukkiwon illicitly donated money to lawmakers through its employees. The investigators are also looking into allegations that Oh Hyun-deuk privately used Kukkiwon funds on a business trip.

“We think that there’s no problem [in our hiring process], but will watch how the investigation turns out,” an official with Kukkiwon said. “We believe donations to lawmakers were done of employees’ own volition.”

GOLF

Ji Eun-hee rises 30 spots to 42 in the world rankings

Korean golfer Ji Eun-hee, the latest LPGA champion, made a huge jump in the latest world rankings Monday.

Ji soared 30 spots to reach No. 42 in the rankings on the strength of her victory at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship in Taipei on Sunday.

It was her first LPGA win in eight years. There were no changes at the top, with Koreans Ryu So-yeon and Park Sung-hyun staying at No. 1 and No. 2.

At No. 4, Chun In-gee was the next highest-ranked Korean.

Yonhap