LAUSANNE, Switzerland, 24 January 2004 — Kim Un-yong, the International Olympic Committee vice president, was suspended from the body yesterday while South Korean prosecutors investigate him for corruption.
The IOC said in a statement Kim was deprived of his rights until the investigation and an inquiry by the Ethics Commission was finalized.
South Korean prosecutors are awaiting a full health report on Kim who collapsed last week and was taken to hospital for treatment when he was about to be served with an arrest warrant.
IOC President Jacques Rogge ordered the IOC Ethics Commission to investigate Kim last week.
Kim strongly attacked the IOC’s decision to suspend him, calling it hasty and against the normal, legal belief that people are innocent until proved guilty.
“This action is harsh, unjust and reflects more unfavorably upon its leadership than on the subject of its wrongful action. The decision is contrary to the principle of presumed innocence, which prevails in civilized countries throughout the world,” said Kim’s office from Korea in a faxed statement.
The 72-year-old Kim, one of South Korea’s most powerful sports leaders, is accused of accepting over 500 million won ($427,000) from businessmen in return for his efforts to get them seats on the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC).
He is also suspected of embezzling billions of won donated by businesses to his World Taekwondo Federation.
Prosecutors have also indicted Lee Kwang-tae, a former KOC member, for corruption. Lee reportedly paid 100 million won to Kim to help secure his KOC membership.
Kim resigned his National Assembly seat and announced last week he would quit the leadership of Taekwondo’s world governing body.
However, senior officials within Taekwondo confirmed to AFP yesterday he officially remains president as no resignation letter has been received.
