Korean footballer detained in China released after 319 days

Son Jun-ho [YONHAP]

Korean midfielder Son Jun-ho was released and returned to Korea on Monday after being held in China for 319 days.

Son, who most recently played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League, was detained on May 12 last year at an airport in Shanghai in what China has called a bribery investigation. Under Chinese law, police can detail suspects for up to 37 days before a prosecutor approves an arrest.

He was formally arrested exactly 37 days after being detailed in June last year. Son’s agent in China was also arrested.

The arrest came amid a crackdown on match-fixing in Chinese football, although the exact details leading to Son’s arrest have never been revealed.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicated with China through various avenues and requested cooperation for a fair and quick procedure,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released Monday. “The ministry closely communicated with his family in Korea and held 20 meetings with consular officials, in addition to actively providing necessary support like offering Son a lawyer.”

Son’s current legal status in China, including whether he has been formally charged or the circumstances leading up to his arrest have still not been revealed.

The Korea Football Associaton also said on Monday that it will provide further information about Son once it confirms more details of his situation.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN, JIM BULLEY [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]