The last time the ministry conducted a full inspection of pro sports for sexual harassment reasons was in 2007 when a women’s basketball coach was arrested for sexually abusing a player. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s sports ministry said Wednesday it will conduct an inspection of sexual harassment in pro sports.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said through the Korea Professional Sports Association (KPSA) that it will look into sexual harassment cases in the pro sports community. Five pro sports organizations in football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and golf and 62 pro sports clubs are subject to inspection, the ministry added.
“With the #MeToo campaign spreading, we decided to look into pro sports,” a sports ministry official said. “We’ll listen to all parties who are considered weak people in pro sports. We’ll also inspect whether reporting systems in pro sports organizations are working well.”
The extent of the inspection has yet to be announced, but the ministry is expected to meet not only players and coaches but also club officials, cheerleaders and stadium announcers.
The ministry said it will conduct the inspection for at least six months and will also proceed with measures to help victims of sexual harassment.
The ministry said the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) has been conducting sexual harassment inspections in amateur sports biennially, but such procedures have been done irregularly in pro sports.
The last time the ministry conducted a full inspection of pro sports for sexual harassment reasons was in 2007 when a women’s basketball coach was arrested for sexually abusing a player. The ministry said its sexual harassment inspection will be conducted regularly.
(Yonhap)
