Women's Judo Coach Offers to Step Down Over Disqualification Controversy

Jung Sung-sook, head coach of the women's national judo team, has offered to resign to take responsibility for a player's disqualification at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and ongoing controversies regarding poor management of the national delegation during travel to the world championships.

Returning through Incheon International Airport yesterday (October 13) after completing the 2026 International Judo Federation World Championships, Coach Jung expressed her intention to step down in front of reporters.

The controversy began during the women's 48-kilogram division event at the Asian Games held earlier.

Jung Soojin, who was scheduled to compete, consumed food without knowing she was subject to random weighing due to incorrect guidance from the coaching staff, resulting in a disqualification for exceeding the weight limit.

Jung Soojin exposed the coaching staff's mistake via social media, and as the fact became known, fierce criticism erupted.

Regarding this, Coach Jung apologized, saying, "All responsibility lies with the coaches. I am sorry and feel deeply guilty toward athlete Jung Soojin."

However, she refuted claims by the athlete's side that she attempted to quietly hush up the controversy, stating it was not true.

Yet, controversy over poor management of the national team flared up again during the transit process to the world championships.

Coach Jung and her party missed their connecting flight while transferring at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, leading to an absurd situation where they had to wait about 9 hours and travel on an alternative flight.

Suspicion arose that they missed the flight because they were eating meals, and regarding this, Coach Jung explained, "It was not because of the meal, but due to miscalculating the transit time."

The Korea Judo Association plans to take official procedures as soon as Coach Jung's resignation letter is submitted.

The Korea Judo Association also plans to hold an internal evaluation meeting and a performance enhancement committee on October 16 to decide on measures regarding the coaching staff and continue investigating the truth behind Jung Soojin's weigh-in disqualification.

(Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by IYOO | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.