KSU Suspends Hae-in Lee and Young You

[figureskatingandrainbows]

On June 10th, a Korean news outlet reported that during a training camp held in Italy from the 15th to the 28th of May, two adult female skaters violated KSU and Korean Olympic guidelines by drinking alcohol in their dorm rooms. In addition, one junior male skater was found to have entered the female dorm and was under investigation for that as well. All three were temporarily suspended. The members of the training camp were Young You, Haein Lee, and Sihyeong Lee (seniors), Hyungyeom Kim (age 17 during the camp, split junior/senior season), and Seojin Yun, Yujae and Yuseong Kim, Minsol Kwon, Minkyu Seo, and Jaekeun Lee (juniors). Source

Today, on June 21, a Korean news outlet reported that Skaters A and B, the female skaters who were suspended for drinking, were further suspended. Skater A had sexually assaulted the Junior Male Skater C, and has been suspended for 3 years. Skater B had taken sexually explicit photos of Skater C Skater A and was suspended for one year. Skaters A and B have requested a retrial from the Korea Sports Council. Junior Skater C received a reprimand for entering the female dorm, and the training camp leader was suspended for three months. Skater A was unavailable for contact or comment, as stated by their agency. Following the discovery of the drinking, the athletes were referred to the Fair Sports Committee, who confirmed that sexual assault had also occurred. Allegedly, Skater A contacted skater C to come to her dormitory, where the assault occurred by Skater A and a sexually explicit photo was taken of Skater A by Skater B and showed it to Skater C. The skaters have also been reported to the Sports Ethics Center in Korea. Source, source, source

I will try and update this post as more information is released, and aim to only post things that have been reported by credible news outlets. However, things are a little wonky with translations and as more information is released, so let me know if I have anything that is inaccurate or unclear and I will update it. I do not want to name anyone, especially the victim, since the whole proceeding is anonymous so far. We can use context clues to determine the likely identities of Skaters A and B, but I will not explicitly state who they are until an official source says so and things are not censored, and ask you to do the same to respect the privacy of all involved.

edited to fix that Skater B took an explicit photo of Skater A, NOT Skater C
updated to add that both Skaters A and B are requesting a retrial

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

I'm posting this separately because it is more opinion-based, but I want to issue full support to Skater C - male sexual assault is quite often overlooked or minimized, and I am so sorry that this occurred and so proud of them for coming forwards and getting justice. It is possible that the whole investigation started and was brought to light because of Skater C's bravery, and I sincerely hope that they receive the support and care they deserve. I'm upset over the reprimand - yes, Skater C violated the rules by entering the opposite sex dorm, but as a junior who was contacted by a senior skater, the responsibility should be on Skaters A and B for initiating the whole thing and the power imbalance between juniors and seniors in skating, Korean culture, and life in general should be acknowledged. Abuse, harassment, and sexual assault continue to be huge issues in figure skating. I am proud of Skater C for breaking down the stigma and seeking justice, but there are also so many victims in this sport and around the world that for one reason or another cannot get the justice they deserve. We need to continue to make skating safer, and I am glad that KSU is rightfully punishing the offenders and ensuring that due process is followed to protect their athletes.

 

[rabidline]

It now makes sense to me why this case was investigated officially. When I read the first news report that the skaters were disciplined due to drinking, I thought skaters who are friends wouldn't tattle on each other, especially if they're drinking together and know they're breaking rules at a training camp. So I thought they were caught by the people in charge.

But this reveal of sexual assault and harassment on the third person made a lot of sense. The victim, a minor, likely filed a complaint on his seniors, and an official investigation was done from that. I assumed they gave him a reprimand because even though he was put into the situation because he technically broke a rule by being at where the female skaters are staying, they recognized that he was a victim. Considering the perpetrators' seniority over the victim, it was likely that he was coerced and/or bullied to get where he was and further intimidated that he'll also get punished if he reports what they did to him.

I have to commend KSU for properly investigating this and giving the perpetrators appropriate punishments.

 

[Kittosuni]

I'm just really confused, I understand that the ban for Haein Lee and Young You was from the federation, but what about the actual criminal punishment? This is not some petty criminal offense but a sexual offense against a minor that is usually punishable by the law.

 

[rabidline]

KBS, the national broadcaster of Korea, just ran this as news with censored footage from recent competition of the perpetrators.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Oh wow, this is horrible to read. I´m so sorry for the victim. I´m glad KSU is taking this seriously.
I hope the victims identity will be protected.

Given the details and circumstances, I do not think it will be long until the identify of Skaters A and B will be revealed officially... When the season starts it will be so obvious. I do however understand it needs for it to be protected since Skater B has asked for retrial.

 

[Colonel Green]

Well, that’s quite a shock.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

It now makes sense to me why this case was investigated officially. When I read the first news report that the skaters were disciplined due to drinking, I thought skaters who are friends wouldn't tattle on each other, especially if they're drinking together and know they're breaking rules at a training camp. So I thought they were caught by the people in charge.

But this reveal of sexual assault and harassment on the third person made a lot of sense. The victim, a minor, likely filed a complaint on his seniors, and an official investigation was done from that. I assumed they gave him a reprimand because even though he was put into the situation because he technically broke a rule by being at where the female skaters are staying, they recognized that he was a victim. Considering the perpetrators' seniority over the victim, it was likely that he was coerced and/or bullied to get where he was and further intimidated that he'll also get punished if he reports what they did to him.

I saw an Instagram account stating that "this was just teenage fun and Korean society is too conservative!" but as you said, this was likely reported because of the sexual assault - I certainly wouldn't tattle on someone for drinking if it didn't affect me. Describing it as "teenage fun" is the sort of rhetoric that makes it harder for men to come forwards about sexual assault, and I am disgusted that not even two hours after the news breaks, people are already minimizing what Skater C went through. Sexual assault is sexual assault. It is wrong, can happen to anyone of any gender or age, and is deeply traumatic. People do not lie about it "just because", and people will not be suspended for it without credible evidence.

I'm just really confused, I understand that the ban for SKATERS was from the federation, but what about the actual criminal punishment? This is not some petty criminal offense but a sexual offense against a minor that is usually punishable by the law.

1. It occurred internationally, which makes things tricky. I don't know if the Italian or Korean authorities would handle the case, and which law would apply apparently Korean citizens are subject to the laws of their own country, even internationally.
2. It may or may not have violated age of consent/child abuse laws - we don't know the people involved yet for sure and their ages, and I am not up-to-date on said laws
3. The skater may not want to press charges to avoid a trial and more publicity
4. Criminal prosecution may have started and we just don't know yet - the law takes time

A lack of criminal charges does not mean that this did not occur. Many skaters have come forwards with sexual assault allegations that have resulted in suspensions or bans from the federation regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or not. There are many factors that could affect criminal prosecution, and the lack of prosecution does not in any way diminish Skater C's claims.

And if someone says WhAt AbOuT tHe GrAnD PrIx SpOtS or WhAt AbOuT tHe SeAsOn... someone was sexually assaulted. There are far greater issues here. We can discuss that later at a more appropriate time and place.

 

[Seven Sisters]

Of course we don’t know all the details yet, but what stands out to me is that 1. the Korean federation gave full credence to the complaining victim and 2. acted swiftly and decisively. Other skating federations and authorities should take note!

 

[Kittosuni]

Of course we don’t know all the details yet, but what stands out to me is that 1. the Korean federation gave full credence to the complaining victim and 2. acted swiftly and decisively. Other skating federations and authorities should take note!

Yup agree. weather one believes that the 3 year and a 1 year ban is appropriate or not but atleast they acted swiftly.

Now will see if Korean or Italian authorities will investigate and punish Haien and Young

 

[Amei]

Of course we don’t know all the details yet, but what stands out to me is that 1. the Korean federation gave full credence to the complaining victim and 2. acted swiftly and decisively. Other skating federations and authorities should take note!

Well this unlike some of the other cases this was not a he said she said of something that happened years ago situation, its a fairly open and shut case given it sounds like it involved pictures of assailant #1 and the photos were sent from assailant #2's phone.

 

[triplelutzzzzz]

I'm happy the KSU is taking this seriously, especially with how stigmatized male sexual assault victims are in society. I wish the victim all the best and I hope they are doing alright with everything going on.

 

[DancingCactus]

What the absolute f...?
This was not what I expected to read here today.

 

[Skater Boy]

This is shocking. I feel for the victim. This will really affect their women's team.

 

[TeamGubanova]

well it looks like the 2026 OLY team will now be Kim Yelim, Shin Jia, and Kim Chaeyeon. Maybe Wi Seoyoung also has a shot. Also feel bad for the victim, but at least it looks like he is getting support which is a lot more than what would happen basically anywhere else.

 

[SmileHappy34]

I am sadden by the news that report here.
2. I would not trust anything on Twitter or X as reliable.
3. This news could be click bait.

4. How did you hear of information?
5. If names skater A, skater b and skater c. How are you implying that it is the famous Korean women skaters? Did the Korean federation list the skater names as and skater b as?

Did they list them as training camp. Are the training camp included or excluded.

While the Korean Federation investigate the matter , I am seeing misinformation or something type of information not listed.
Can you paste where you receive that information from news or federation itself.

I wouldn't state they name skater A or skater b unless the information is posted somewhere other than social media where people can look up.

 

[Dreamer57]

What a horrific situation.
I hope that the victim heals and is kept anonymous.

 

[saine]

I am sadden by the news that report here.
2. I would not trust anything on Twitter or X as reliable.
3. This news could be click bait.

4. How did you hear of information?
5. If names skater A, skater b and skater c. How are you implying that it is the famous Korean women skaters? Did the Korean federation list the skater names as and skater b as?

Did they list them as training camp. Are the training camp included or excluded.

While the Korean Federation investigate the matter , I am seeing misinformation or something type of information not listed.
Can you paste where you receive that information from news or federation itself.

I wouldn't state they name skater A or skater b unless the information is posted somewhere other than social media where people can look up.

The news is coming from Korean news organizations. The direct source was linked in the first post.

 

[SmileHappy34]

My apologies. I don't read Korean.
It happen on training session in another country correct
What I am reading in English on another site they didn't name the two female skaters . They named the team that was training.
Did it happen I. Italy?


It is sad.

 

[Jumping_Bean]

1. I would not trust anything on Twitter or X as reliable.
2. This news could be click bait.
3. How did you hear of information?

Here's another article on the situation: https://m.sports.naver.com/general/article/001/0014762452

4. If names skater A, skater b and skater c. How are you implying that it is the famous Korean women skaters? Did the Korean federation list the skater names as and skater b as?
Did they list them as training camp. Are the training camp included or excluded.

Because this was an ongoing investigation before (without the sexual assault/harassment being known to the public at that pint), so we knew that two adult female figure skaters had been provisionally suspended, with one junior male skater having been involved in the situation. https://m.news.nate.com/view/20240610n33983

The training camp was only open to skaters on the actual National team (Notable: Not all skaters representing Korea internationally are part of the National team - Lim/Quan were not for a long time for example). From the get-go, that already hugely limits the athletes who could have been involved, as there are only three adult female skaters on the National team (Young You, Haein Lee and Seoyeong Wi, who wasn't at the training camp apparently).
KBS (the national broadcaster of South Korea) included blurred videos of Haein and Young in their reporting on the situation as well.