Arrest Warrant Dismissed for Former CEO of HOKA's Korean Distributor Accused of Assaulting Subcontractor

Court: "No Concern About Destruction of Evidence or Flight Risk"

The arrest warrant for the former CEO of the domestic exclusive distributor of HOKA, a running shoe brand, who is accused of assaulting a former business partner and an employee, has been dismissed.

Seoul Eastern District Court, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jaehyun Park

Seo Beomjun, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, conducted a pretrial detention hearing (substantive warrant review) on the 29th for Cho Sunghwan, former CEO of Joyworks&Co., who is facing charges of inflicting bodily harm. After the hearing, Judge Seo dismissed the arrest warrant, stating, "There is no concern about destruction of evidence or flight risk."

Cho, the former CEO, is accused of calling a former business partner and an employee to an abandoned church building in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, in December of last year and assaulting them.

After the incident sparked controversy, he resigned from his position as CEO in January. HOKA's U.S. headquarters terminated its domestic exclusive distribution contract with Joyworks&Co.

Previously, the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul referred Cho to the prosecution without detention in February. On the previous day, the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for Cho.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.