By Duncan Mackay

Ji Kwang-min_bocciaSeptember 25 - South Korea's Chef de Mission at the London 2012 Paralympics has promised that allegations of abuse made by the country's boccia captain against a coach will be fully investigated after a disciplinary committee was set-up following further claims of violence against members of the team. 


It has been revealed that 31-year-old Ji Kwang-Min (pictured) was the South Korean who had made an official complaint against Kim Jin-Han, who he alleged abused him during London 2012, including hitting him on the head with a light stand. 

The family of Ji, who has cerebral palsy, also claimed that 42-year-old Kim had beaten him regularly since 2010 and had stolen up 1 million won (£550/$900/€700) at a time from him on several occasions.

The Incheon Prosecutors' Office is investigating the matter. 

According to Ji and his family, a drunken Kim beat him and other players at the Athletes' Village during London 2012.

The family said they had submitted recorded testimonies of other boccia players to the prosecution.

Jang Choon-Bae, who led the South Korean delegation during the Paralympics, said that the Korea Sports Association for the Disabled is investigating the complaint and had already set-up a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter following an emergency meeting. 

"The allegation is now under investigation," Jang told The Korean Times

"We do not know what really happened yet.

"However, if the accusation turns out to be true, we will take the strongest disciplinary action possible."

But Jang said he was surprised by the complaint because the pair had appeared to be on good terms during London 2012. 

Ji had started playing boccia while at Eunkwang School in Incheon after he approached Kim, who was a physical education teacher at the school. 

Ji was beaten in the quarterfinal of the BC1 individual competition by Brazil's Jose Carlos Chagas de Oliveira, despite going into the event ranked as the world number one.

"Maybe the bad result at the Paralympics was the cause of the problem," said Jang.

"No matter what, we will not condone violence and proper action will be taken based on the facts after the probe."

Choi Ye-jin_at_London_2012_September_8_2012Choi Ye-Jin won South Korea's only gold medal in boccia at London 2012 and is coached by Kim, Jin-Han, the official accused of abuse

South Korea won a gold medal in boccia at London from Choi Ye-Jin, a female player coached by Kim.

It is not known whether she is one of the players who has made an complaint. 

Kim has denied the accusation.

"I have never assaulted the players," he told Ilgan Sports.

"It was only a couple of kkulbam."

Kkulbam is a Korean word meaning hitting on the head with the tip of a knuckle, a customary light form of punishment for young children.

"The allegation of money extortion is also different from what happened," said Kim.

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