China detains South Korean soccer player on suspicion of accepting bribe

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South Korea midfielder Son Jun-ho has been detained in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on suspicion of accepting a bribe, China's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Son was placed in custody "recently" and was under investigation. The South Korean consulate in the provincial capital of Shenyang had been informed of Son’s detention and allowed access to the player as required by international treaty.

Son had been playing for the Chinese Super League's Shandong Taishan, and Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post said the bribery allegations concerned suspected match-fixing involving coach Hao Wei.

Wang gave no details on the timing or conditions of Son’s detention, but the Post said he was detained at an airport with his family on Friday while preparing to leave the country.

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Lim Soo-suk, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said his government was providing Son with "necessary consular assistance" through the country’s local missions. He did not provide more details on Son’s situation, citing privacy reasons.

South Koreas Son Jun-ho speaks during a press conference in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 22, 2022. Son has been detained in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on suspicion of accepting a bribe. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

Chinese soccer has struggled for years to rid itself of a reputation for corruption among coaches, team owners, players, referees and government sports officials.

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