Korean Media: Son Heung-min’s Father Officially Charged, Defendants Post Millions in KRW as Deposit

According to Yonhap News Agency, on August 31, Chuncheon District Prosecutors’ Office announced that it had formally charged Son Heung-min’s father, Son Woong-jung, and two others for alleged child abuse.

The three defendants include Son Heung-min’s father, Son Woong-jung, his elder brother Son Heung-yun, and another coach. The prosecution did not disclose the specific penalties, stating that this was a “summary indictment” filed according to the “prosecution standards,” and ordered the suspects to undergo “anti-child abuse education.” However, according to reports from the victims’ side, the three suspects including Son Woong-jung deposited a total of 6 million KRW (approximately 320,000 CNY) with the court, 2 million each.

Son Woong-jung and the other three are accused of physical and mental abuse of children during the operation of the “SON Football Academy.” On March 19, the victims filed a complaint against Son Woong-jung and others, alleging that on March 9 in Okinawa, Japan, coaches including Son Woong-jung struck children (who were late or made mistakes) on their thighs and buttocks with corner flag poles, pulled their hair and hit their heads, causing injuries requiring over ten days of hospitalization. In addition, when children made mistakes during training, they would also suffer severe insults and verbal abuse, making it unbearable mentally.

Earlier, when interviewed, Son Woong-jung and others emphasized, “I swear that every action taken by the academy’s coaches was out of love for the children, but perhaps we need to reflect as times are changing.”