Korean footballer Son Jun-ho has been exonerated of the bribery allegations levied against him during his 319-day detainment in China, resulting in his recent release and repatriation to Korea earlier this week. According to a report published by the Korean newspaper Sports Chosun on Tuesday, Son was acquitted in a closed-door trial conducted during his prolonged detention in China.
Son, who most recently featured for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League, was apprehended on May 12 of the previous year at a Shanghai airport under the auspices of a bribery investigation by Chinese authorities. Subsequently, Son was formally arrested in June, exactly 37 days following his initial detention. Chinese law allows for the detention of suspects for up to 37 days before formal approval of arrest by a prosecutor. Notably, Son’s agent in China was also arrested concurrently.
The timing of Son’s arrest coincided with a broader crackdown on match-fixing within Chinese football, yet it was also viewed as a potential maneuver with political motivations aimed at exerting pressure on the Korean government. Despite the conclusion of his protracted detainment and apparent vindication, specifics regarding the circumstances of Son’s arrest, as well as the details of his trial, remain undisclosed to the public.
With his prolonged detention at an end and his reputation seemingly restored, Son now possesses the opportunity, should he elect to do so, to resume his professional football career. Presently unaffiliated with a club, Son has yet to divulge his intentions regarding his future in the sport.
Prior to his tenure with Shandong in 2021, Son garnered experience in the K League, representing the Pohang Steelers from 2014 to 2017 and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from 2018 to 2020. He earned his inaugural cap for the national team in 2018 and most recently featured in a friendly match against Uruguay in March of the preceding year.