Controversy Erupts: Korean Sports Chief Kim Nami Suspended After Shocking Remarks on Boxing Accident

Translation result

대한체육회 김나미 사무총장연합뉴스 자료연합뉴스 자료

The Korea Sports Association has placed Secretary-General Kim Na-mi on an emergency suspension after she made insensitive remarks about a middle school boxer, identified as A, who fell into a coma during a match.In a May 1 press release, the association said that, given the gravity of the situation, it immediately suspended all of Kim’s duties and authority effective May 1 and removed her from organizational activities. The association described the move as the strongest measure available prior to formal disciplinary proceedings.A, a student at a middle school in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, was struck and knocked unconscious during a bout at the 55th Presidential Cup national boxing tournament in Seogwipo, Jeju, last September. He has not regained consciousness in the eight months since the incident. Critics contend that inadequate emergency response cost precious time, and officials from the Korea Boxing Association have been subject to investigation. The Korea Sports Association has pledged to uncover the facts and to take responsibility.Kim, who visited the boy at the hospital and initially said, “I will take 100% responsibility,” later backtracked, claiming she never said she would provide “100% support.” She also criticized the boy’s parents—who attempted to record their conversation—saying she felt “very offended, as if they were trying to profit from their son’s condition.” She went on to state, “The child had no chance from the start. He’s already brain-dead. The probability that he will wake up now is…” Her remarks, once made public, provoked widespread outrage.Association President Yu Seung-min, who was on a business trip to China at the time, returned early and suspended Kim’s duties. Kim, a former alpine skier, has served as vice president of the International Biathlon Union and as secretary-general of the Sports Talent Development Foundation. She was appointed in March as the first woman to hold the secretary-general post shortly after Yu took office.#KoreaSportsAssociation #KimNaMi #VerbalMisconduct #BoxingAccidentYonhap News TV — Story inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Park Ji-eun (run@yna.co.kr)