Choi Suk-hyeon suicide case: South Korean triathlon coach and captain sentenced to jail over bullying, abuse

Coach Kim Gyu-bong was given seven years in prison for verbally and physically abusing Choi as well as diverting funds, while team captain Jang Yun-jung was given four years

Triathlete Choi took her own life last June after complaining of abuse from Kim, Jang and a team masseur, who was last week given an eight-year jail term for repeatedly beating her

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Kim Gyu-bong (right), the former head coach of the triathlon team at semi-pro club Gyeongju City Hall, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Photo: EPA

Published: 6:11pm, 29 Jan 2021Updated: 6:36pm, 29 Jan 2021

A South Korean triathlon coach and an Asian Games silver medallist have been convicted of abusing an athlete, closing a chapter on a high-profile suicide case that exposed the country’s win-at-all-costs sports culture.

The Daegu District Court on Friday sentenced Kim Gyu-bong, former head coach of the triathlon team at semi-pro club Gyeongju City Hall, to seven years in prison for verbally and physically abusing triathlete Choi Suk-hyeon as well as diverting funds meant for training.

Jang Yun-jung, who won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and served as captain of the triathlon team, was given four years in jail, while another teammate was handed a suspended prison term of 18 months.

Choi took her own life in June last year after complaining of years of abuse from the coach, Jang, and a team masseur. The masseur was last week sentenced to eight years in prison after he was convicted of repeatedly beating Choi.

“The accused, abusing their power, verbally and physically assaulted Choi for a long time, causing her to make a fatal choice at the age of 22,” the court ruling said.