The Rise and Fall of a Soccer Star: A Tale of China’s Judicial System

Introduction: Son Jun-ho and China’s Ambitions in Soccer

In 2019, Son Jun-ho, a midfielder for South Korea’s World Cup soccer team, made headlines when he signed with a Chinese club, signaling China’s growing ambition to become a powerhouse in the world of soccer. However, his story took a dramatic turn two years later when he was detained by Chinese police on charges of bribery and match-fixing. Son’s case became a symbol of the ruthless efficiency of China’s legal system, where the conviction rate exceeds 99%, and the accused often face immense pressure to confess.

The Plea Leniency System: A Double-Edged Sword

China introduced the "plea leniency" system in 2018, touting it as a step toward a more equitable justice system. The system allows suspects to receive lighter sentences in exchange for admitting guilt. While this approach has streamlined the judicial process and reduced caseloads, it has also raised concerns about fairness and coercion. Lawyers and experts argue that suspects are often pressured into confessing without fully understanding the charges, leading to false confessions. The system gives prosecutors significant power, allowing them to determine punishments and build cases against others, as seen in Son’s case.

Son’s Ordeal: Coercion and Confession

Son’s detention in 2023 was part of a broader anti-corruption campaign in Chinese soccer, which uncovered gambling and match-fixing involving 120 matches and 41 clubs. Son was among 43 individuals banned from the sport for life. During his interrogation, Son claims he was threatened with the detention of his wife and the well-being of his children. After months in detention, he signed a confession, hoping to return to his family. However, he later regretted the decision, stating that he had confessed under duress and without fully understanding the charges. The document he signed was used as evidence against his teammate, Jin Jingdao, who was also banned for life.

The Larger Picture: Coercion and Injustice in China’s Courts

Son’s case is not an isolated incident. The plea leniency system has become a powerful tool for prosecutors, enabling them to process cases quickly but often at the expense of justice. In recent years, the system has been used in various sectors, including sports, finance, and politics, as part of President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaigns. However, critics argue that the system is prone to abuse, with suspects often facing threats, sleep deprivation, and other forms of coercion during interrogations. Despite the government’s efforts to reform the judicial system, the lack of transparency and oversight has led to widespread concerns about the erosion of due process.

The Impact Beyond Sports: Entrepreneurs and the Economy

The plea leniency system has also been used to target entrepreneurs and seize their assets, particularly in cases where the government is seeking to consolidate power or address economic challenges. In the city of Mianyang, property developer Zeng Jianbin and his employees were detained in 2021 on charges of gang activity. The government seized Zeng’s assets, including land and apartments, and pressured his employees into confessing. During the trial, it became clear that many of the confessions were coerced, with some employees admitting they did not understand the charges or were unable to read the documents they signed. Despite these revelations, the judge accepted the plea deals, sentencing all 14 employees to prison. Zeng himself was sentenced to 20 years, accused of leading a gang, charges he denied as baseless.

Conclusion: The Human Cost of China’s Legal System

Son Jun-ho’s decision to speak publicly about his ordeal has brought attention to the flaws in China’s judicial system. His case highlights the human cost of the plea leniency system, where individuals are pressured into confessing to crimes they may not have committed. Despite the government’s claims of reform, the lack of transparency and the coercive nature of the system continue to undermine the rights of the accused. As Son and others like him seek justice, their stories serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by those caught in the gears of China’s legal machinery.