Justin Sukwon Park, former president of the national and Asian federations, has been banned for two years for his role in the abuse case involving South Korean triathlete Choi Suk-Hyeon.
This was announced by the world association World Triathlon. Choi took his own life in June 2020 after years of physical and verbal abuse from her coach and teammates.
The penalty was imposed because Park is said to have violated the world association’s protection guidelines and code of ethics. Three other South Korean FA officials, including general secretary Lee Jae-Keun, have been suspended for 18 months over the scandal.
Park, who resigned as president of the Asian federation at the end of February, did not inform the world federation about the case of abuse until after the athlete’s death, according to the verdict. According to World Triathlon, he also failed to ensure that “the personal rights of the individual are protected, respected and safeguarded”.
Choi’s trainer Kim Kyu-Bong was sentenced to seven years in prison in January 2021 for his involvement in the abuse. Jail terms were also given to Choi’s team captain Jang Yun-Jung and a physical therapist.