Former Coach Hong Myung-bo Completely Denies "Salary Was Never 3.8 Billion Won" Allegations

Appearing as a Witness at the Hearing: "My Salary Was Mutually Agreed Upon"
"I Never Asked for More Pay"
"No Favoritism Requested Even During the 'Bakery Interview'"

Former South Korea national football team coach Hong Myung-bo has denied all allegations related to the controversy that arose during the process of his appointment as head coach.

On the 30th, Hong appeared as a witness at the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing and stated that the so-called “late-night bakery interview” controversy, the accusation of receiving a high salary, and the allegation of preferential hiring of his close associates were all unfounded.

Responding to People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyunjin’s question regarding the procedural legitimacy of the coach appointment process, Hong stated that there was neither administrative involvement nor special favors involved in his appointment.

Former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo drinks water during a hearing on current issues of the Korea Football Association held by the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 30th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Division

Bae pointed out, “At the time in 2024, then-technical director Lee Im-saeng, who did not have the authority to recommend a coach, met with you at a bakery at 11 p.m. for what seemed like an interview, and you were appointed as coach without an additional interview or presentation. Aren’t you embarrassed that younger colleagues or people in football circles might think becoming a coach through a ‘bakery interview’ is possible?”

In response, Hong said, “When I was offered the position of head coach, I believed it was according to normal procedures. The selection process may appear opaque to the public, but at no point did I ask for any favor or benefit.”

He also rebutted the allegation that he received a high salary. When Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Junho asked whether his salary had more than doubled—from the 1.5 billion won level as a professional team coach to 3.8 billion won as the national team coach—Hong explained, “Because the contract includes various legal terms, I cannot disclose the exact amount, but it is absolutely not 3.8 billion won.”

He added, “The salary was mutually agreed upon, I never asked for a raise, and accepted exactly what the association offered.”

Hong also firmly denied the allegation that he took care of close associates during the hiring process at the association. Kim Jaewon of the Progressive Reform Party brought up the timing of Hong’s resignation after the disappointing performance at the latest North and Central America World Cup and said, “The day after your resignation, the association increased the number of secretariat staff hires from one to three, and for the two new positions, your former driver and staff who previously worked with you applied and advanced to the interview round,” raising suspicions of recruitment solicitation.

Kim further pressed, “After you were appointed as head coach this time, did you recommend or request that a staff member working at your foundation be hired as your driver by the association?” Hong flatly denied the accusation, saying, “That never happened.”

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