Son Jun-ho, a critical midfielder for South Korea’s World Cup soccer team, initially represented China’s aspirations in the sport when he signed with a Chinese club. However, after his detention by Chinese police on bribery and match-fixing charges two years later, he emerged as a symbol of the country’s legal system's harshness.
During his interrogation, Mr. Son maintained his innocence and requested legal representation, but police insisted it was unnecessary. He faced threats suggesting his family would be involved if he did not comply, leading him to eventually accept a plea deal for a lighter sentence, which he later described as made under duress.
The plea leniency arrangement he accepted is a legal practice in China that has raised concerns among legal scholars regarding the erosion of defendants' rights. The Chinese judicial system, which operates under the Communist Party, has a conviction rate exceeding 99 percent, although recent reforms aimed to create a more equitable legal framework.
As part of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign in soccer, Mr. Son was implicated in a broader investigation resulting in the detention of numerous officials, including the former president of the Chinese Football Association. An extensive inquiry revealed match-fixing and gambling involving dozens of matches and clubs, resulting in lifetime bans for multiple individuals, including Mr. Son.
While Mr. Son's case has not been fully resolved, his experience highlights the pressures faced by those accused of crimes in China. He believed the document he signed acknowledged a legitimate financial transaction with a teammate, which later became evidence against him in match-fixing allegations.
The introduction of the plea leniency system in 2018 aimed to improve judicial efficiency but has led to concerns regarding coercion and false confessions. Legal experts have criticized the practice, noting that many defendants feel compelled to confess under duress, and recent comments from the prosecutor’s office indicate the need for scrutiny of these plea deals.
Plea agreements have also been utilized against entrepreneurs, particularly during economic downturns, as seen in the case of a property developer whose employees were pressured into false confessions, contributing to their convictions.
Mr. Son publicly shared his narrative following his lifetime ban, asserting that he believes an audio recording of his interrogation could prove his innocence. FIFA recently rejected China's request for a lifetime ban against him, a decision that is atypical for the governing body in such serious matters. The Chinese foreign ministry responded that the case was closed, citing Mr. Son's admission of guilt.