"Deeply Regrettable"... Hong Myung-bo Strongly Refutes Controversy Over Corporate Card Use

"Regret Over Reports Overlooking National Team's Work Environment"

"Preparing Supporting Documents... Will Explain at the Hearing"

Former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo has refuted allegations of improper use of a corporate card, stating, "I used it only within the prescribed purposes and limits set by the regulations of the Korea Football Association."

On the 29th, through a statement titled 'Rebuttal regarding JTBC's Report on Corporate Card Use,' Hong said, "JTBC reported that I spent about 14 million won using a corporate card at restaurants in Bundang-gu, where my home is located, over the past two years during my tenure as national team head coach. However, parts of the article do not reflect the facts, and I wish to clarify those points," he explained.

Former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, who recorded the worst-ever result by failing to advance to the round of 32 in the 2026 North America World Cup, is returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on June 30, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Previously, JTBC pointed out issues with Hong's corporate card usage by reporting the previous day that "Hong spent 14.08 million won with the corporate card near his home." In response, Hong stated, "I only used the card within the prescribed purposes and limits as set forth by the Korea Football Association. All expense records were submitted and reconciled with the Association. During my tenure, there was not a single instance where the use of the corporate card was flagged as inappropriate or was subject to a correction request," he argued.

Regarding the claim that "the corporate card was used 31 times on holidays over the past two years," he responded, "One of the primary duties of the head coach and coaching staff is to observe K League players in person. The majority of K League matches take place on weekends and public holidays. It is standard practice for the coaching staff to visit stadiums, observe and evaluate players, and hold meetings on weekends and holidays."

He continued, "For the past two years, the national team squad announcements have generally been made on Mondays, so meetings on the weekend immediately prior to finalizing the roster were essential. Corporate card usage on weekends or public holidays was for meals or business-related expenses incurred by the coaching staff during the course of their work for the national team."

Hong also addressed the issue of "spending 14.08 million won on the corporate card in Bundang-gu," explaining, "All of the national team’s foreign coaches lived in Bundang-gu. The coaching staff used a shared office in Bundang-gu for meetings and business, and meals also took place in the area." He added, "Last year, the football team was convened twice at a hotel in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-gu. Corporate card spending in Bundang-gu was not for personal consumption, but rather reflected legitimate business expenses related to the accommodation of foreign coaches and the convening and operation of the national team."

Regarding the use of the corporate card at a Korean beef specialty restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and a gukbap restaurant, he stated, "If I went to a Korean beef or Chinese restaurant for personal reasons, I used my personal card. Upon review after the news report, I found that the amount I spent at those restaurants on my personal card over the past two years was nearly identical to the corporate card amount. This can be verified by card statements," he emphasized.

Furthermore, Hong said, "It is very regrettable that this report interpreted business-related expenses as personal use simply because of their proximity to my residence, without considering the working environment of the national team and the living arrangements of the coaching staff. I will prepare the supporting documents so that I can provide an explanation during the hearing," he stated.

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