'She must be on her period' insult controversy → "We are taking this matter very seriously" Yoo Seung-min (Chairman) issues warning... Korean Sports Council steps in

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korean Sports Council has stepped in regarding the controversy over inappropriate remarks made by a referee toward female soccer players.

The Korean Sports Council (President Yoo Seung-min) announced on the 1st that, prompted by recent controversies involving inappropriate comments from a referee toward Ji So-yun (35, Suwon FC Wimin) during a WK League women's soccer match, it will convene a Gender Equality Committee to discuss protecting athletes' human rights and dignity at sports venues and prepare measures to prevent similar incidents.

It further added, "While fact-checking is underway among relevant institutional investors and organizations regarding this matter, we intend to comprehensively review the gender equality and human rights protection system at sports venues."

The Korean Sports Council explained that it plans to hold a Gender Equality Committee meeting to share this incident and seek advice on ▲enhancing gender sensitivity among athletes, coaches, referees, and other sports personnel ▲strengthening gender equality-related education at sports venues ▲implementing gender equality and human rights education for those entering the Jincheon National Athlete Village ▲and developing institutional improvement measures to prevent similar cases.

It also stated, "Especially since the attitudes and actions of coaches and referees significantly influence athletes' human rights and the cultivation of a healthy sports culture, we will continuously monitor the content and operational systems to ensure relevant education functions effectively on the ground and strengthen collaboration with related institutional investors such as the Sports Ethics Center and the Korea Institute for Gender Equality Education."

Additionally, it plans to include gender-sensitivity-based education in training programs at the Jincheon National Athlete Village to spread a culture of respecting sports human rights within national teams.

The Korean Sports Council emphasized, "We will continue our efforts to create an environment where athletes can perform their skills without prejudice or discrimination based on gender and be respected accordingly, and to establish a sports culture that prioritizes athletes' human rights and dignity."

"At sports venues, athletes' human rights and dignity must be respected under any circumstances, and athletes should never be hurt by prejudices or inappropriate remarks based on gender," Yoo Seung-min (Chairman) stated. "We are taking this matter very seriously and will thoroughly examine the voices from the field to ensure they lead to practical improvements."

It further stressed, "Creating a culture where all sports participants—athletes, coaches, referees, and others—respect one another is crucial. We will conduct gender-sensitivity-based human rights education more rigorously, and the Korean Sports Council will continue its efforts to ensure athletes can focus solely on their training in safe and respectful environments."

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*This content was translated by AI.