S Korea Olympics man suspended

By Harry Peart
BBC sports correspondent

Kim Un-yong, a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, has been suspended from the movement pending investigations into allegations of corruption against him in South Korea.

Kim Un-yong has had a major influence on the Olympics

A statement from the IOC headquarters in Switzerland said the 72-year-old had been provisionally deprived of all his rights, prerogatives and functions deriving from his membership of the IOC.

Kim Un-yong was South Korea's leading sports official, a politician, and a powerful figure across the sporting world.

But in an unprecedented step, the International Olympic Committee, on the recommendations of its ethics commission, has suspended him until investigations by prosecutors in South Korea and by the IOC are completed.

No charges have been brought against him, nor has an arrest warrant been issued. Prosecutors are awaiting a hospital report on his health. He denies all the allegations.

Cash found

Last week, Mr Kim resigned his seat in the National Assembly and relinquished his leadership of the Taekwondo World Federation.

He is suspected of receiving money from South Korean Olympic officials and the embezzlement of funds from the Taekwondo Federation, and has been questioned over the presence of more than $1m found at his home.

Kim Un-yong has been a major influence on sport and the Olympics.

He helped take the games to Seoul in 1988 and turned Taekwondo into a medal sport at the Sydney Olympics.

He challenged for the IOC presidency but lost to Jacques Rogge in 2001.

He was re-elected as a vice-president last year.