Operation and achievements of permanent referee system in Korea for establishment of fairness in Korean sports referee culture

Abstract

In 2014, a case occurred in which the parents of the player committed suicide due to biased judging by the referee in the selection of a representative taekwondo athlete in Seoul. With this opportunity, the KOC implemented a permanent referee system to establish a fair judging culture. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the problems of the KOC's permanent referee system and draw up policy measures to improve them. This study was based on prior studies related to the subject matter and data such as documents and reports of standing judges of the KOC. This permanent referee system gives us the following policy implications. First, judging activities, educational activities, and research activities of permanent referees are managed reliably, and have a positive effect on fair judgment culture. Second, athletes, parents, leaders, association officials and general judges are highly satisfied with the operation of the permanent referee system. However, some permanent referees in the sport have raised questions about the evaluation method that does not take into account the specificity. Thus, in order for the permanent referee system to be expanded and operated in a more advanced manner, an agreement must be reached to improve the evaluation method and operation of the permanent referee system.