From Sun Dong-yol to Hong Myung-bo... Why is sports becoming fuel for politics? [Kim Yang-hee's Sports Reading]

The upcoming parliamentary hearing into the Korean Football Association's administrative issues and national team coach selection process highlights a recurring problem: sports figures becoming scapegoats for political agendas. This situation echoes the 2018 국정감사 (National Assembly audit) where former baseball national team manager Sun Dong-yol faced intense questioning. Despite winning a gold medal at the Asian Games, the team was embroiled in controversy over player selection, leading to Sun's appearance before a parliamentary committee.

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The parliamentary audit was held to improve the national team's operational system, or to put a manager on the public's judgment seat.

While acknowledging the need for scrutiny of national team operations, the article questions the nature of these political interventions. The author contends that the 2018 hearing, rather than focusing on systemic improvements for Korean baseball, seemed more like a public trial for Sun Dong-yol. Lawmakers, lacking deep understanding of the sport, posed questions that were often arrogant or accusatory, undermining the dignity and expertise of individuals dedicated to the sport's development. This pattern, the article suggests, reveals a societal and political hypocrisy: sports are often neglected in terms of policy and support during normal times, only to be sensationalized and used for political point-scoring when major events occur or controversies arise.

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Arrogant remarks like 'I don't think winning was that difficult' followed by high-handed scolding.

The piece contrasts the political approach to sports with that of other fields like economics or science, where experts' opinions are generally respected and policy discussions are more substantive. In sports, however, the focus often narrows to immediate results, controversial appointments, or player selections, treating it as a topic anyone can comment on rather than a specialized domain requiring long-term vision. This perspective overlooks sports' significance as education, culture, industry, and a social asset that builds community.

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Sports are often pushed to the back burner in school education, and discussions on policy support or fundamental system improvements encompassing elite and grassroots sports are always delayed.

The author argues that the true role of politics in sports should not be about judging individual outcomes or personalities, but about fostering the environment that enables success. This involves supporting the foundational elements of sports, not just capitalizing on moments of national interest like the World Cup or Asian Games. The article calls for a fundamental shift in how sports are viewed – as a distinct cultural and industrial sector deserving of serious policy consideration, rather than mere fodder for political spectacle. The upcoming hearing, it is hoped, will focus on rigorous system verification rather than personal attacks, marking a necessary step towards treating sports with the respect it warrants.

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Politics rarely treats sports as a policy for the nation's future. It is only brought up as a political issue at moments when public interest explodes, such as during the World Cup or Asian Games.