*This content was translated by AI.View Original
Former professional soccer player Im Min-hyuk met with the Professional Soccer Players Association, following his meeting with the Professional Baseball Players Association, to discuss improving players' rights and institutional reforms. This series of meetings centers on a proposed amendment to the law to establish "appropriate minimum wage guidelines for professional sports athletes," which he submitted to the National Assembly in September, as he seeks input from sport-specific player organizations and requests their cooperation.
On the 15th of last month, Im Min-hyuk met with Jang Dong-cheol, Secretary-General of the Korea Professional Baseball Players Association, and other officials to explain his proposal to amend the "Sports Industry Promotion Act" and discuss ways to improve the treatment of professional athletes. Both sides expressed empathy for the reality faced by players who continue their careers amid low wages and the risks of injury and release, and agreed to share relevant materials and on-the-ground opinions.
At the time, Secretary-General Jang Dong-cheol stated, "Proposals aimed at improving the treatment of professional athletes and protecting their rights are welcome and appreciated," adding, "As we work to improve players' realities, the players' association will do its utmost to support where possible."
Subsequently, on the 29th of last month, Im Min-hyuk held a meeting lasting approximately one hour and 30 minutes with Kim Hoon-gi, Secretary-General of the Korea Professional Soccer Players Association, to exchange views on the treatment of K League players and current issues in soccer. Prior to the meeting, he delivered policy materials he had personally prepared. In addition to his legislative proposal for minimum wage guidelines, they discussed a victory bonus system, improvements to the military service exemption system for sports figures, and the issue of career interruptions for athletes.
Notably, the soccer players' association is an organization that has long demanded the realistic adjustment of K League's minimum salary. Following its call for a minimum salary increase in 2023, it again pointed out in February this year that the K League minimum salary of 27 million won is the lowest among major domestic professional sports, demanding improved player treatment.
Im Min-hyuk requested cooperation to translate the soccer players' association's long-standing demand for minimum salary improvements into actual legislation. The soccer players' association conveyed its stance that it would internally review whether to officially support the proposal and consider subsequent cooperation plans.
During his meeting with Secretary-General Kim Hoon-gi on this day, Im Min-hyuk said, "If the players' association is a large ship moving cautiously, I will be the icebreaker opening the way ahead." He emphasized, "I understand that an organization representing players must consider various interests, but someone must first raise the issue and take action to actually change the system."
He also requested active participation, stating, "If the players' association actively utilizes its on-the-ground network and promotional capabilities in discussions on improving minimum wages, it will greatly help broaden player interest and consensus, as well as advance the legislative process."
Previously, on September 17, Im Min-hyuk visited the office of Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Cho Gye-won to propose an amendment to the "Sports Industry Promotion Act." Going beyond demands for minimum salary increases, the proposal calls for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to investigate the wage and contract conditions and professional characteristics of athletes, and to establish "appropriate minimum wage guidelines" based on those findings.
The proposal is not intended for the state to uniformly set or mandate minimum salaries for all sports. Rather, it envisions the government providing objective reference standards, allowing each sport and league to determine actual minimum salaries by considering factors such as roster size and club financial conditions.
On the 23rd of last month, Im Min-hyuk appeared as a witness at the comprehensive audit of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, explaining the issue of the K League's 27 million won minimum salary, along with players' livelihood insecurity and risks of injury and early retirement. At the time, Rep. Cho Gye-won requested Minister Choi Hui-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review sport-specific appropriate minimum wage guidelines, and the minister responded, "I will look into it."
Im Min-hyuk emphasized, "Improving minimum salaries is an issue concerning not only players' livelihoods but also the competitiveness and sustainability of the entire league," adding, "While improving player treatment, I want to create a realistic system that both sides can accept by also considering clubs' financial soundness and the efficiency of roster management."
Meanwhile, the amendment to the "Sports Industry Promotion Act" proposed by Im Min-hyuk is currently at the stage of being submitted to Rep. Cho Gye-won's office and has not yet been formally introduced. Im Min-hyuk plans to continue consultations with Rep. Cho Gye-won's office regarding the introduction of the bill, supported by backing from organizations such as the baseball players' association, while continuously requesting the government to establish appropriate minimum wage standards.
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
