Ministry Suspends Sports Committee Chief Over Alleged Misconduct.

Seoul: The culture and sports ministry announced the suspension of Lee Kee-heung, president of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, on Monday over allegations of misconduct. According to Yonhap News Agency, the ethics inspection team under the Office for Government Policy Coordination revealed on Sunday that they had requested a police investigation into Lee and other sports officials. The allegations include improper hiring practices and misuse of funds. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has urged a swift investigation and has temporarily relieved Lee of his duties. Under existing laws, an executive officer of a public institution can be suspended if they are suspected of misconduct, such as accepting money or committing sexual offenses. Lee is accused of manipulating job requirements at the Jincheon National Training Center to employ a friend of his children. Allegations suggest he bypassed an internal process to lower the individual's salary and replaced an official who opposed the hiring. Furthermore, Lee is suspected of recommending five associates for the Korea's Paris Olympic delegation, offering them travel incentives that were not initially planned.