Police Question Complainant in "Hong Myungbo Appointment" Case... Accelerate Probe into Football Association

Secretary-General of Civic Group Appears as Complainant

The police, who are currently investigating the appointment process of former national soccer team coach Hong Myungbo, are accelerating their probe into the Korea Football Association by questioning the complainant.

On the morning of July 14, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Kim Soonhwan, Secretary-General of the People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee, as a complainant for questioning. Upon arriving at the Mapo Complex Building of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Secretary-General Kim stated, "It is necessary to reveal the process by which the soccer association's budget, into which taxpayer money is injected, and the salary of former coach Hong were determined."

Kim Sunhwan, Secretary General of the Committee for the Protection of the Common People, who filed a complaint alleging that the appointment process of former national soccer team coach Hong Myungbo was inappropriate, is answering reporters' questions in front of the Mapo General Office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 14th. Photo by Oh Jieun

The People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee recently filed charges against former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, and former coach Hong, accusing them of obstruction of business, coercion, intimidation, and breach of trust. They alleged that the coach’s appointment process violated the association’s articles of association and regulations, bypassed the Power Enhancement Committee, and that the appointment was made without proper procedures. In addition, the committee identified former coach Hong as an accomplice, claiming his involvement in the appointment process—this was the first complaint filed against him regarding the appointment allegations.

On this day, the police also summoned a former Power Enhancement Committee member from the association who was involved at the time of Hong’s appointment as a reference witness. Recently, they called in former committee member Park Jooho to investigate the appointment process.

Previously, Jongno Police Station in Seoul had been investigating eight cases related to complaints and accusations surrounding the coach’s appointment process since July 2024. The station maintained that further investigation of those involved and review of legal issues was needed. However, after a district court in an administrative lawsuit recognized the illegality of the coach appointment procedure, controversy arose about delays in the investigation. Earlier this month, the cases were transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and with the additional complaint from the People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee, the number of cases increased to nine.

At a press briefing the previous day, Chief Jeongbo Park of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated regarding the investigation of the soccer association, "As this is a matter of great public interest, we will focus our efforts to swiftly reach a conclusion."

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