South Korean university women's soccer coaches accused of financial misconduct

Investigations have revealed systemic financial misconduct within South Korean university women's soccer programs, where coaches have allegedly used student-athlete parents to secure illegal secondary salaries.

Former Daekyung University coach Kim Ju-young admitted to receiving approximately 4 million won per month from parents in addition to his official university salary. These funds, collected through monthly dues and various fees for training and travel, were reportedly used for personal expenses, including fuel for his private vehicle and entertaining other coaches.

While primary and secondary school sports teams are subject to oversight by the School Sports Promotion Act and local education offices, university athletic departments operate in a regulatory blind spot. There is currently no legal requirement for universities to manage athletic club funds through official school accounting, allowing parents to manage private accounts without institutional oversight or receipt verification.

Despite the existence of the Sports Ethics Center to investigate corruption, reporting remains low. In the niche and shrinking field of women's soccer, athletes and parents often fear retaliation or loss of playing opportunities, making it difficult to challenge coaches who hold significant influence over a player's career and future.