South Korea holds IOC vice-president | BBC

[Ediacara]

S Korea holds IOC vice-president


Kim says he is the victim of a
vendetta

A vice-president of the International Olympic Committee has been arrested on corruption charges in South Korea.

Kim Un-yong, 72, was put behind bars shortly after the Seoul District Court approved his pre-trial detention.

For a long time he has been South Korea's leading sports official, an opposition politician and a powerful figure across the sporting world.

He denies any wrongdoing, maintaining he is a victim of a vendetta by politicians and sports officials.

Last week, the IOC suspended Mr Kim - on the recommendation of its ethics commission - until investigations by prosecutors in South Korea and by the IOC were completed.

This was an unprecedented step, BBC sports reporter Harry Peart says.

More at the BBC