▲ Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) emblem
A former coach of the women's professional volleyball team Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks, who sparked controversy over sexual misconduct toward a player, has received a heavy penalty of a five-year suspension.
The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) announced that it held a disciplinary committee meeting yesterday and imposed a five-year suspension on the former coach, identified as A.
This disciplinary action stems from a sexual misconduct incident that occurred during a team dinner for the JungKwanJang players during the All-Star break in January.
After becoming aware in May of the inappropriate behavior committed by former Coach A against a player at the time, the club separated the involved parties and reported the matter to KOVO and the Sports Ethics Center.
The Sports Ethics Center investigated the case and requested disciplinary action against former Coach A and former JungKwanJang Head Coach Ko Hee-jin. The KOVO disciplinary committee determined the level of punishment after reviewing explanations from the parties involved, statements from witnesses, and related materials.
The disciplinary committee judged that former Coach A's actions constituted a grave anti-social act related to sexual misconduct, deciding on a five-year suspension in accordance with the federation's disciplinary regulations.
However, the committee concluded that the actions of former Head Coach Ko Hee-jin, who was reviewed for disciplinary action alongside him, did not amount to sexual misconduct.
The committee determined that former Head Coach Ko's inappropriate speech and behavior in an inappropriate location constituted "other acts damaging to dignity."
Taking into account the severity and circumstances of the behavior, as well as his past conduct and contributions, the committee issued a warning and a fine of 3 million won to former Head Coach Ko.
Former Head Coach Ko, who was present at the dinner at the time, reportedly stated that he did not witness former Coach A's actions, and he had been excluded from club duties since May.
JungKwanJang issued an official apology in July, and former Head Coach Ko voluntarily resigned in August to take responsibility for the incident.
Subsequently, JungKwanJang appointed former Heungkuk Life Insurance Head Coach Kwon Soon-chan as its new leader on October 6.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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