South Korean Soccer Player Returns Home After 10 Months in Chinese Detention

Soccer Player Son Jun Ho
Detained by Chinese Authorities for 319 Days
Seems to Have Left Trauma

South Korean soccer player Son Jun Ho, detained in China, has been released.

Last May, while returning to Korea from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport, Son, who was then a player for the Chinese professional club Shandong Taishan, was detained by Chinese authorities.

Son faced allegations of “non-state espionage bribery.” This charge applies when someone working for a private company or organization uses their position to illegally obtain benefits from another party.

Following his detention in May, Son faced “criminal detention” in Liaoning Province’s Chaoyang Public Security Bureau. This is a mandatory investigation where a suspect is held for a limited time, raising concerns for Son’s well-being.

Son’s unexpected detention, while still an active player, triggered intervention from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, citing an “ongoing investigation,” Chinese authorities remained tight-lipped about the case’s details.

Due to his detention, Son, a vital defensive midfielder for the South Korean national team, he missed key matches, including A-match evaluation games and the 2023 Qatar Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.

Son, who was in a difficult situation in China, has recently been released.

As the charges against the major executives of the Chinese Football Association were acknowledged, the trial concluded, and Son finally regained his freedom.

Son finally set foot on Korean soil after being detained for 319 days and returned to his family.

On March 25, soccer commentator Park Moon Sung shared Son’s recent situation on his YouTube channel, “Dalsu’s Live.”

“The call came from an unknown number, but it was Son,” Park recounted. “He burst into tears the moment I picked up. Through his sobs, he kept repeating his thanks. He truly believed his release was a testament to the unwavering support and concern he received from so many.”

He continued, “Son was released last week, but he said he couldn’t tell anyone until he got off the plane to Korea, fearing he might be caught again. It seems like he still has some trauma.”

Reports share that after a psychological examination, Son will take some time to recover from his extended detention.