Ministry SSuspends Duties of Korean Sports Chief Over Alleged Misconduct

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Monday that it has suspended the duties of Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), over suspected misconduct.

According to the ministry, an ethics inspection team under the Office for Government Policy Coordination had requested a police investigation into Lee and other sports officials over alleged improper conduct, including improper hiring practices and misuse of funds.

The ministry stated that it has suspended Lee's duties pending the outcome of the investigation. By law, an executive officer of a public institution may be suspended from their duties if they are found to have committed or are suspected of misconduct, including receiving bribes or committing sexual crimes.

Lee is currently facing allegations that he ordered the relaxation of job requirements at the Jincheon National Training Center in order to hire a friend of his children. He is also accused of bypassing an internal report to lower the applicant's salary and replacing an official who opposed the hiring plan.

Furthermore, Lee is believed to have recommended five acquaintances for positions in Korea's Paris Olympic delegation without due process and offered them travel incentives, which had not been previously planned.

The KSOC has declined to comment on the allegations against its president. The ministry, however, emphasized the importance of upholding transparency and accountability within public institutions.