Figure skater Lee Hae In claims that there was no sexual harassment because she was dating 16-year old hoobae 'C'

Figure skater Lee Hae In, a member of South Korea’s national team, has spoken up to deny allegations of sexual harassment against her 16-year old male hoobae, ‘C’.

Last week, a committee organized by The Korea Skating Union ordered provisional suspensions for Lee Hae In and a fellow female figure skater, Yoo Young, after it was found that the two had consumed alcohol without permission multiple times during a national team training camp in Italy. The committee’s investigation further discovered that while intoxicated in their dorm, Lee Hae In and Yoo Young had sexually harassed a younger male figure skating representative, ‘C’.

Lee Hae In, who received a provisional suspension of 3 years for her actions and who has most likely lost her chances of competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, is now claiming that there was no sexual harassment during the training camp incident.

While apologizing for consuming alcohol during an important training camp, Lee Hae In also stated that “the news reports saying that there I sexually harassed a minor are absolutely false.” 

Lee Hae In continued, “We were dating at the time, but during the committee’s investigation, I could not reveal this information. Then, when it was reported that I had sexually harassed a minor, I thought my world was ending.”

The figure skater then added on, “I thought that it was just a way of expressing affection.”

Lee Hae In’s legal representative also relayed the figure skater’s intentions to submit an appeal against the committee’s decision, commenting, “There was no sexual harassment, simply light physical contact between two people who were dating.” 

Meanwhile, Lee Hae In showed promise as South Korea’s next figure skating star after winning the silver medal at the ‘2023 World Figure Skating Championships’ in Saitama, Japan.