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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A star South Korean soccer participant who was detained and investigated in China for practically a 12 months over bribery allegations has been launched and returned residence, Seoul’s Overseas Ministry mentioned Monday.
Son Jun-ho, a former member of the South Korean nationwide group who had performed professionally in China, was detained by Chinese language authorities on the Shanghai airport in Could on suspicion of taking bribes.
The Overseas Ministry confirmed that Son was again in South Korea however didn’t present additional particulars, together with when he returned or whether or not the fees in opposition to him had been confirmed.
South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper, citing nameless sources, reported that Son returned Monday afternoon.
Son had performed for Shandong Taishan and received the 2021 Chinese language championship with the Jinan-based membership. Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Put up reported final 12 months that the bribery allegations involved suspected match-fixing involving the group’s coach, Hao Wei.
“We have now been speaking with Chinese language authorities by means of numerous channels to request their cooperation in making certain a quick and truthful course of (for Son) whereas additionally speaking intently together with his household in South Korea,” the South Korean ministry mentioned in a press release. It mentioned it had performed about 20 consular interviews with Son to supply help and guarantee truthful entry to attorneys.
Son, 31, performed seven seasons with South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors earlier than becoming a member of Shandong Taishan in 2021 on a four-year contract, in keeping with trade web site transfermarket.com. He has performed for South Korea 18 occasions, together with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Chinese language soccer has struggled for years to rid itself of a fame for corruption.
Kim Tong-hyung, The Related Press
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