Korea Football Association Accused Over 'Hong Myung-bo Appointment'... Police Vow Swift Conclusion

Complainant to Be Questioned at 10 a.m. on July 14

The police, who are investigating a case in which a civic group filed a complaint against Korea Football Association officials over the appointment process of former national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo, have announced their intention to conclude the investigation swiftly.

At a press briefing on July 13, Park Jeongbo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, “All eight cases that were previously being investigated by the Jongno Police Station have been transferred to the Financial Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and an additional complaint has been received, bringing the total to nine cases currently under investigation. As this is a matter of great public interest, we will focus on the investigation and proceed as quickly as possible to reach a conclusion.”

Former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo (second from the right) is returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Previously, since July 2024, the police have been investigating complaints filed by civic groups regarding alleged breach of duty and obstruction of business by former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu and others in connection with the appointments of former coach Hong Myung-bo and former coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The investigation was initially conducted by the Jongno Police Station in Seoul but has since been transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

Subsequently, on July 2, the Civic Committee for the Protection of Ordinary People's Livelihood filed a joint complaint against former president Chung, former technical director Lee Lim-saeng, and former coach Hong, accusing them of coercion, intimidation, obstruction of business, and breach of duty. This is the first time that Hong Myung-bo has been named as an accused party following the controversy surrounding the appointment of the national team coach.

The legality of the appointment process for former coach Hong has also been a point of contention in administrative litigation. In April, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled against the Football Association in the first trial of a lawsuit filed by the association to overturn a request by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for severe disciplinary action against former president Chung. The court recognized procedural illegality in the coach appointment process.

The police plan to summon a representative from the civic committee for questioning as the complainant on July 14.

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