A South Korean football starr who was detained and investigated in China for nearly a year over bribery allegations has been released and returned home, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
Son Jun Ho, a former member of the national team who had played professionally in China, was detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai airport in May on suspicion of taking bribes.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Son was back in South Korea but didn't provide further details, including when he returned or whether the charges against him were proven.
South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, citing anonymous sources, reported that Son returned yesterday afternoon.
Son had played for Shandong Taishan and won the 2021 Chinese championship with the Jinan-based club. It was reported last year that the bribery allegations concerned suspected match-fixing involving the team's coach, Hao Wei.
"We have been communicating with Chinese authorities through various channels to request their cooperation in ensuring a fast and fair process [for Son] while also communicating closely with his family in South Korea," the ministry said.
It said it had conducted about 20 consular interviews with Son to provide assistance and ensure fair access to lawyers.
Son, 31, played seven seasons with South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before joining Shandong Taishan in 2021 on a four-year contract. He has played for South Korea 18 times, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Chinese football has struggled for years to rid itself of a reputation for corruption.
Meanwhile, Japan look poised to reach the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after Fifa said their match in North Korea will not be rescheduled.
North Korea were supposed to stage the qualifier today in Pyongyang but five days before the game officials abruptly said the isolated country could not play host without giving a reason.
On Friday the Asian Football Confederation said the match was off and at the weekend Fifa said it "shall neither be played nor rescheduled," citing lack of room in the international football calendar.
North Korea could suffer a 3-0 forfeit as a result, which would send Japan into the third stage of qualifying for the World Cup.
Son Jun Ho
