Figure skating singles athletes Lee Hae-in (20, Korea University) and You Young (21, Kyunghee University) can again compete wearing the Taegeuk mark. The Korea Skating Union eventually canceled the heavy sanctions imposed on the two athletes.

A representative from the skating union stated during a phone call with OSEN on the 13th, "We finalized the main lawsuit settlement for Lee Hae-in and You Young through mediation. This action was taken considering the court’s injunction decision."

The two athletes were found to have consumed alcohol during their stay at the training camp for the national team held in Varese, Italy, in May last year. Lee Hae-in and You Young were referred to the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fairness Committee.

Moreover, during the investigation by the skating union, it was revealed that Lee Hae-in had acted in a way that could be perceived as sexual harassment towards fellow athlete A. Consequently, after its own investigation, the skating union imposed a three-year suspension on Lee Hae-in for alcohol consumption and sexual assault charges, while You Young, who was present, received a one-year suspension. For minor athlete A, visiting the accommodation of an opposite-gender athlete was deemed a violation of regulations, and a reprimand was issued.

However, Lee Hae-in's position was different. He acknowledged the alcohol consumption and apologized but strongly denied the sexual assault allegations.

Through a clarification, Lee Hae-in claimed that he had been in a relationship with A for some time and that they had broken up due to parental opposition, but reunited during the training camp. He asserted that they were not in a victim and perpetrator relationship. Evidence, including messages exchanged with A via social media, was also partially disclosed.

Lee Hae-in, who appealed his injustice, applied for a retrial to the Sports Fairness Committee, but the committee rejected it. Then, Lee Hae-in and You Young filed for an injunction to suspend the disciplinary action in court. The Eastern District Court of Seoul sided with the two. In November last year, the Eastern District Court accepted their injunction request, temporarily restoring Lee Hae-in and You Young's athletic eligibility.

Lee Hae-in returned to competition by participating in the first national team selection for the 2025-2026 season, along with the 2024 KB Financial National Figure Skating Championship ranking competition in December last year. He recorded an overall fifth place, securing qualification for the Four Continents Championships. Subsequently, Lee Hae-in also competed in the International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships held in the U.S. last March, finishing in ninth place.

The skating union also decided to invalidate the sanctions against Lee Hae-in and You Young. Although the skating union was continuing the main lawsuit separately from the court’s injunction acceptance, the newly appointed president Lee Soo-kyung decided to resolve the matter amicably. Procedurally, there remains a possibility of further sanctions, but if so, it was decided that any penalty would not exceed a four-month suspension.

As a result, Lee Hae-in and You Young had already been unable to participate in athletic activities for more than four months, which resolved the issue. The two now also have the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. The national team selection competition for the two women’s singles Olympic tickets will be held at the end of this year.

Lee Hae-in expressed through his agency, "I thank everyone who has been worried and supported me for a long time," and added, "I have become stronger through this experience. I will repay you with my best skating."

You Young conveyed through her legal representative, "Thanks to the fans who have quietly supported me during this difficult time, I was able to endure it," and said, "I will not forget that sentiment and will repay it with my performance in competitions."

[OSEN]