China’s Vow of ‘Leniency’ in Plea Deals Erodes Rights to Fair Trial

When South Korean soccer player Son Jun-ho signed with a Chinese club, he symbolized China’s ambition in the sport, but after being detained by Chinese police and pressured into signing a confession for bribery and match-fixing, he became a victim of China’s legal system. Son, who maintained his innocence, was coerced into admitting guilt under duress, showcasing the use of plea leniency in China’s justice system, which has been criticized for being unfair and lacking regulation. The case highlighted concerns about coercion, false confessions, and the power imbalance between prosecutors and suspects in China’s legal system.

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