A South Korean star footballer who was detained and investigated in China for nearly a year on bribery charges has been released and returned home, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Son Jun-ho, a former South Korean national team member who played professionally in China, was detained by Chinese authorities at Shanghai Airport in May on suspicion of taking bribes.
The foreign ministry confirmed Son had returned to South Korea but gave no further details, including when he would return or whether the charges against him had been proven.
Korean chosunilbo The newspaper reported that Son returned on Monday afternoon, citing anonymous sources.
Son Heung-min played for Shandong Taishan and won the 2021 Chinese League Championship with the Jinan-based club. Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported last year that the bribery charges involved team coach Hao Wei’s alleged match-fixing.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “We have been communicating with the Chinese authorities through various channels and requesting their cooperation to ensure that Son’s proceedings are speedy and fair, while also maintaining close communication with his family in South Korea.” The company said it has conducted about 20 consular interviews with Son to provide assistance and ensure fair access to lawyers.
According to industry website Transfermarket.com, 31-year-old Son Heung-min played for South Korea’s Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for seven seasons before joining Shandong Taishan in 2021 and signing a four-year contract. He has played 18 times for South Korea, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Chinese football has struggled for years to shed its reputation for corruption.
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