Exploring Social Media Commentary Pertaining to Physical and Sexual Abuse in South Korean Ice-Skating

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how South Korean individuals responded to Olympic short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee’s sexual abuse accusations toward her former coach Cho Jae-bum, as well as the perceptions associated with the culture of South Korea’s elite sport organization, the Korea Skating Union. Specifically, Facebook comments made to posts on the three digital news platforms (Dispatch, Insight, and SBS News) in South Korea were analyzed through the lens of framing theory. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Three themes emerged inductively from the data analysis including (a) emotions; (b) punishment for authority figures; and (c) further investigations of similar cases. Comments illustrated South Korean publics’ anger with their desire to see Cho face stricter punishment for his abuse of Shim. In addition, comments discussed calling for more thorough investigations into similar cases of abuse. Lastly, South Korean individuals showed an overall dissatisfaction of the current system and culture of the Korean Skating Union without transparency.