Police Accelerate Probe into Football Association... Investigate KFA Executives and Power Reinforcement Committee Members over "Hong Myung-bo Appointment" (Comprehensive)

Full Review of Head Coach Nomination and Appointment Process

The police investigation into whether the appointment process of former national soccer team head coach Hong Myung-bo was appropriate is accelerating, as police questioned executives of the Korea Football Association, members of the Power Reinforcement Committee, and the complainant all on the same day.

On the morning of July 14, the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency questioned Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary General of the Citizens’ Livelihood Countermeasures Committee, as the complainant. Upon arriving at the Mapo General Government Building, Secretary General Kim stated, "We must clarify how the budget of the football association, funded by taxpayer money, as well as the salary of former head coach Hong, were determined."

Hong Myung-bo, the head coach of the national football team who resigned taking responsibility for failing to advance to the Round of 32 in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, is returning to Korea through Incheon Airport on the morning of the 30th.

The Citizens’ Livelihood Countermeasures Committee recently filed criminal complaints against former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, former Technical Director Lee Lim-saeng, and former coach Hong on charges including obstruction of business, coercion, intimidation, and breach of fiduciary duty. They allege that the association violated its articles of association and internal regulations in the process of appointing the head coach and made the appointment without going through the Power Reinforcement Committee. The complaint further specified that former coach Hong was involved as an accomplice in the appointment process, making this the first criminal complaint against him regarding the issue.

On the same day, police also summoned officials who served as Korea Football Association executives and members of the Power Reinforcement Committee at the time of Hong’s appointment as witnesses. Recently, they also questioned Park Joo-ho, a former member of the committee, regarding the selection process for the head coach.

The Power Reinforcement Committee, composed of football experts, is tasked with reviewing candidates for the national team head coach position and recommending a specific candidate for appointment to the higher governing body, the KFA board of directors. Police are reported to have questioned those involved at the time of Hong’s appointment regarding the process by which he was given charge of the team, the appointment process carried out by the board, and the committee’s procedure for recommending a head coach.

Previously, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul had been investigating eight cases related to allegations surrounding the coach selection process since July 2024. While the authorities had maintained that further investigation and legal review were needed, the finding of procedural illegality in the appointment process by an administrative court in a first trial led to controversy over investigative delays. Earlier this month, the cases were transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and with an additional complaint filed by the Citizens’ Livelihood Countermeasures Committee, the total number of cases has increased to nine.

At a press conference the previous day, Seoul Police Commissioner Park Jung-bo said regarding the investigation into the football association, "We will focus our efforts on this case, given the high level of public interest, and work to reach a swift conclusion."

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