South Korea Ministry Launches Investigation Into Badminton Association After Criticism Of An Se-young

South Korean badminton player An Se-Young. (Instagram/@a_sy_2225)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Monday it began an investigation into the Korean Badminton Association (BKA) after Olympic champions An Se-young recently criticized the association's management.

The ministry will examine the "state surrounding controversy" sparked by An's accusations of "insufficient injury management" and forced participation in the competition. The investigation will also include potential systemic problems in BKA and the use of state subsidies.

"We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged problem by interviewing association officials and members of the national team, conducting on-site inspections and consulting with professionals," said the ministry, which will release the findings of the investigation next month. August 12.

The investigation will include justice in the selection process for national players and the issue of player welfare, including salaries.

"This investigation will be an opportunity to implement future oriented measures for badminton players and athletes in other sports," the ministry added.

Lee Jung-woo, head of the ministry's sports bureau overseeing the investigation, said, "We will answer basic questions about whether the association fulfills its responsibility to the players properly."

The controversy surfaced after An criticized his national team and the association for mishandling his knee injury and maintaining outdated and inefficient practices. An himself successfully won a gold medal from the Women's Singles number, Badminton in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It became the first gold medal in the singles number of Ginseng Country athletes in 28 years, since the women's singles legend South Korea and the world of Bang Soo-hyun won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.