Photo: KOCIS(Korean Culture and Information Service) Official Photographer : Kim Sunjoo · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in South Korea · Nationality South Korean — Sport / badminton / sports governance

An Se-young

Sport

Documented profile covering 2 controversies, including “Criticism of injury management and federation practices, followed by ministerial investigation with serious findings” and “Dispute over personal sponsors, mandatory footwear and rules limiting players' income, followed by reforms”.

Are you concerned? Right of reply

Profile No. 0380 · Updated on 12 October 2026

2Documented controversies

6Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2024-08/12

Criticism of injury management and federation practices, followed by ministerial investigation with serious findings

Investigation — against a third party

Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Immediately after winning her Olympic title in Paris, An Se-young accused the Badminton Korea Association and national team management of mishandling her knee injury, prioritising doubles players and maintaining outdated training practices. The Sports Ministry opened an investigation. Its October findings identified numerous governance problems within the BKA, called for a police investigation and removal of its president over separate suspicions of misappropriating sponsored goods, and ordered several reforms benefiting athletes.

State of the evidence: Allegations
Role of the person profiled: Protagonist not prosecuted

Sources · 3

[1]
YonhapCulture ministry launches probe into badminton association after Olympic champ An's criticismMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YonhapSports ministry seeks police investigation, dismissal of badminton body chief over embezzlement allegationsMediaHigh reliability
[3]
YonhapBadminton star An Se-young stands by criticism of nat'l federation: 'I don't regret it'MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

Add to this entry

2024-08/12

Dispute over personal sponsors, mandatory footwear and rules limiting players' income, followed by reforms

No legal proceedings

As part of her challenge to the BKA, An criticised rules restricting personal sponsorships, requiring international players to use equipment from federation sponsors and tightly controlling salaries and bonuses. The debate focused in particular on mandatory shoes that caused her blisters and restrictions on athletes using equipment of their choice. The ministry subsequently called for reforms; by late 2024, the BKA had relaxed several restrictions and was still working to allow equipment from other manufacturers.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings

Sources · 3

[1]
The Korea TimesAn Se-young's claims: Unfair privilege or fight for fair rights?MediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Asia Business DailyShowing An Se-young's blister photo... Badminton Association President: I will change the sponsor regulationsMediaHigh reliability
[3]
YonhapSports ministry to request dismissal of badminton chief for 2nd timeMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

Add to this entry

II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.