Korea Vice Minister Of Sports Promises To Combat Match-Fixing In Pro Sports

South Korea Vice Minister of Sports Kim Chong promised "more effective measures to combat the culture of match-fixing in the country’s professional sports," according to Jung Min-ho of the KOREA TIMES. Kim, who is also a member of the IOC’s working group fighting irregular and illegal betting in sport, "admitted that the government has been at a loss in protecting the Games from manipulation." While match-fixing "usually involves financial motivation," Kim said that the problem "runs deeper in Korea." For example, referees "will make advantageous calls for athletes they have scholastic, regional and other personal connections with." Kim said, ''These are the types of activities that are difficult to find and eliminate." The Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism is planning to set up a ''clean sports’’ committee this year, which "will be entirely dedicated to detecting match-fixing in sports leagues" (KOREA TIMES, 1/7).