The management firm of Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu Na said Tuesday it has lodged a complaint with Nippon Television Network Corp. for airing hidden camera footage of the South Korean starlet's practice in Los Angeles and demanded an apology in a broadcast.
According to Kim's management company, on Sunday Nippon TV aired some secretly filmed shots of Kim in training. She was seen doing her strengthening exercises and later dining at a restaurant.
All That Sports, a Seoul-based company, has also warned Nippon TV that if something similar happens in the future it will "deny Nippon TV access to all press conferences and interviews done by Kim."
Furthermore, All That Sports will make a request to the Japan Skating Federation and the International Skating Union that Nippon TV be sanctioned.
Should this event present an obstacle to Kim taking part in the world championships in Tokyo next March, "Nippon TV will have to take full responsibility," the company said.
The Yonhap News Agency earlier quoted an official at All That Sports as saying, "We registered a strong complaint with Nippon TV and told them we would take necessary measures if something similar happens again in the future.
"We believe the footage was shot around Dec. 20 and fortunately there was nothing on the new programs."
On the same day the segment aired, Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada earned a chance to defend her world title by finishing second to Miki Ando at the national championships.
