[서울신문] Im Hyo-jun announced his decision to naturalize this month, and he was already Chinese 9 months ago.

Immediately after receiving a fine for the first trial of forcible harassment
Loss of Korean citizenship early in June of last year
For the time being, he will act as a playing coach in Hebei Province.

▲ Lim Hyo-jun

It was confirmed that former short track national team Lim Hyo-jun (25), who announced his decision to naturalize China on the 6th to participate in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, had already acquired Chinese nationality nine months ago.

In the official gazette announced by the Daegu Immigration and Foreigners Office on the 17th, Lim Hyo-jun acquired Chinese nationality on June 3 of last year and lost his Korean nationality.

Im Hyo-jun’s naturalization in China was first announced on the 6th. His agency explained the background of naturalization, saying, “Because of the sexual harassment incident of same-sex juniors in June 2019, we could not train, and the trial and disciplinary period of the federation was prolonged, making it difficult to continue our dream of attending the Olympics.

However, in reality, after a year after the forcible harassment incident occurred, he was naturalized immediately after receiving a fine of 3 million won at the first trial. Lim Hyo-jun signed a contract with the Ice Skating Federation of Hebei Province, not the Ice Skating Federation of China, and plans to play as a playing coach in Hebei Province for the time being.

Contrary to Lim Hyo-jun’s wishes, participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics is unlikely. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stipulates that in order to change nationality and compete in the Olympics, three years must pass from the international competitions in which the previous nationality participated.

Im Hyo-jun was known to have competed in the World Championships as Korea’s representative in March 2019, so it is known that he cannot compete in the Beijing Olympics, which will open on February 4, 2022, without the consent of the Republic of Korea.

Reporter Hong Ji-min [email protected]