South Korean judo head coach Chung Sung-sook submitted her resignation on February 22 following a widespread administrative failure and online disclosure that disqualified 48-kilogram competitor Jung Soo-jin.
Resignation Tendered After Evaluation Trials in Seoul
Chung Sung-sook stepped down from her position as head coach of the national judo team after an evaluation meeting for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and World Championships held at the Olympic Hall in Seoul’s Songpa District, according to the Korean Judo Association. Chung initially indicated her intention to resign upon returning to the country on February 13, and formally relinquished her command following the conclusion of the official review board proceedings.
Social Media Disclosure Exposes Weigh-In Miscommunication
Jung had arrived aiming for her first senior Asian Games medal in the women’s 48kg division but left the tournament venue without contesting a single match. Public commentary initially blamed the athlete for failing to manage her weight, prompting Jung to speak out despite risks to her athletic career.
Conflicting Instructions Trigger Last-Minute Weight Crisis
According to Jung’s published statements, she had met the standard weight of 50.4 kilograms required for random morning draw weigh-ins on competition day. Following the draw, the coaching staff informed her that only one male athlete had been selected and she was not part of the weigh-in group, instructing her to eat and recover. Believing the directive, Jung consumed rice porridge, bananas, and ion drinks. Fifteen minutes before the weigh-in window closed, she learned she was indeed subject to random checks. She induced vomiting and cut her hair to shed weight, but missed the deadline by 100 grams.
Disciplinary Fallout and Travel Delays Compound Team Pressures
Jung stated that coaches instructed her to remain silent, promising to handle the fallout upon returning to South Korea so the matter could conclude quietly. The Korean Judo Association issued a formal apology acknowledging the severity of the situation and pledged a thorough investigation. Management difficulties continued to follow the squad, including an incident at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates where the team was stranded for nine hours after missing a connecting flight en route to the world championships.
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