Members Of Parliament From The Opposition Party Criticize The Provisions Of The South Korean Badminton Association

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

JAKARTA - A member of the South Korean Parliament from the opposition party criticized the provisions of the country's badminton association regarding national team management.

The controversy arose over the management guidelines for the national team of the Korean Badminton Association, which included a clause stating "athletes must comply with their coach's instructions."

This issue emerged after An Se-young, a gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics for women's singles badminton, publicly criticized the association's management.

According to the "National Team Operational Guidelines" posted on the website of the Badminton Association of Korea, the task of national team athletes includes "observing the coach's instructions and orders during his daily training and life in and outside the athletes' villages" and "not rushing to practice or leaving the training ground without the coach's permission."

On the other hand, the management regulations of the Korean Archery Association stipulate that the athlete's duties are limited to "following instructions related to increased performance" and "observing instructions for human rights protection and legitimate safety."

Criticism came from Kang Yu-jung, a member of the National Assembly's Cultural, Sports and Tourism Committee from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

"Even in the military, the scope of orders that must be obeyed is limited to 'orders in superior duties,'" he said, quoted from The Korea Times August 12.

Kang said the clause in the badminton association regulation required athletes to follow all instructions and orders from the coach "is outdated and violates human rights." He called for a revision of this guideline.

Previously, An publicly criticized the badminton association during a press conference held on August 5, shortly after winning his gold medal.

He expressed his disappointment, saying, "I am very disappointed with the way the national team handled my injury. I began to think that it might be difficult to continue with the national team after this moment."

In response, the association issued a statement last Wednesday denying the allegations.

"We are not forcing An Se-young to participate in any international competition without considering his physical condition or ignoring his opinion on participation," the association said.

The association also announced that they would conduct interviews with the coaching staff of the national team and An, as well as form a " fact-finding committee" to investigate the matter further.