Truth Battle Over Sexual Assault Allegations... Was Ki Sung-yueng Wrongly Accused? 'Civil First Trial Verdict' Revealed

[Financial News]  The truth battle over the 'sexual assault allegations' that caused a huge stir in the football world has finally been partially revealed through a first trial verdict. Veteran midfielder Ki Sung-yueng (36) of Pohang Steelers won a partial victory in a damages lawsuit filed against elementary school juniors who claimed he sexually assaulted them. The court's order for 'billion-won compensation' is drawing public attention.
The Seoul Central District Court's Civil Agreement Division 14 (Chief Judge Jeong Ha-jeong) ruled in favor of the plaintiff in part on the 9th, in the damages lawsuit filed by Ki Sung-yueng against his elementary school juniors A and B, ordering them to jointly pay Ki Sung-yueng 100 million won. This effectively sided with Ki Sung-yueng.
This case began in February 2021 when A and B anonymously claimed that they were sexually assaulted by seniors, including Ki Sung-yueng, while living in a football team at an elementary school in Jeonnam from January to June 2000. Although Ki Sung-yueng's name was not directly mentioned at the time, it was easy to infer that he was the perpetrator. This shocking revelation turned the South Korean football world upside down.
Ki Sung-yueng's side immediately claimed innocence and took a strong stance by filing a criminal complaint and a 500 million won damages lawsuit against A and B. The first hearing was held in March 2022, but the trial was delayed until the result of the criminal case Ki Sung-yueng filed against A and others was released, leading to a prolonged legal battle.
The case became even more complicated. In August 2023, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul, which investigated the criminal case, dismissed the charges against A and B due to insufficient evidence. At the same time, they stated that there was also insufficient evidence regarding Ki Sung-yueng's sexual assault, leaving the truth seemingly unresolved.
However, this civil lawsuit's first trial verdict reached a different conclusion from the police's dismissal. By ordering A and B to pay a large sum to Ki Sung-yueng, the court acknowledged that their claims were not true, at least civilly.
This verdict is expected to have a significant impact on restoring Ki Sung-yueng's reputation, but as A and B are likely to appeal, the truth battle is not expected to end.




jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter