JAE-SUK YOO, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
(01-27) 08:45 PST SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – Suspended IOC vice president Kim Un-yong was arrested Wednesday following investigations into possible embezzlement of funds from taekwondo organizations.
Kim did not respond to questions by reporters as he was whisked away by car.
Officials from the prosecutors’ office and the court were not
immediately available to comment.
IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said Kim’s IOC membership would remain suspended “until the inquiries in South Korea and by the IOC ethics commission are finalized.”
Yonhap news agency, quoting unidentified prosecution sources, said Tuesday that Kim is accused of embezzling $3.34 million in funds from the World Taekwondo Federation and the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Headquarters that issues taekwondo credentials. Kim also faces accusations he received money in return for helping two men become members of the Korean Olympic Committee. Kim is South Korea’s best-known sports official and a longtime member
of the IOC. He helped taekwondo become a medal sport in the Olympics in 2000, and played a big role in helping South Korea host the 1988 Summer Games.
Kim ran for IOC president in 2001 but finished a distant econd behind Jacques Rogge.
Early this month, Kim resigned from top posts at the World Taekwondo Federation and the World Taekwondo Headquarters. He also stepped down as a national legislator.