Korea Football Association Hearing... Criticism Over Coach Appointment Process and Association Management

Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Lawmakers Criticize Administrative Mismanagement at the Korea Football Association

Chung Mong-gyu and Hong Myung-bo Apologize for World Cup Underperformance

Absence of Key Witnesses Including Lim Saeng Raises Concerns

The lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition parties belonging to the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee pointed out the administrative mismanagement of the Korea Football Association.

On the 30th, the committee held a hearing on the Korea Football Association. Chung Mong-gyu, former president of the Korea Football Association, and Hong Myung-bo, former national football team head coach, appeared as witnesses and bowed their heads in acknowledgment of the poor performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.

This hearing was prompted after the national football team was eliminated in the group stage of the North and Central America World Cup following a disappointing performance. Lawmakers from both parties criticized not only issues regarding the appointment process of the former head coach Hong Myung-bo but also the overall operation of the Korea Football Association.

Chung Mong-gyu, former president of the Korea Football Association (left), appeared as a witness on the 30th at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing related to current issues of the Korea Football Association, responding to lawmakers' questions. On the right is Hong Myung-bo, former coach of the national football team. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Lee Jae-jung, chairperson of the committee, explained the purpose of the hearing by saying, "Korean football has long-established itself as a national sport that brings joy and pride to the people--it is more than just sports. However, recently, there have been various suspicions raised regarding the appointment of head coaches and the fairness and transparency of management in general, and public concerns and criticism about the association’s operations have been ongoing."

Appearing as witnesses were Chung Mong-gyu, former president of the Korea Football Association, Hong Myung-bo, former head coach, the association’s vice presidents Lee Yong-soo and Kim Byung-ji, and Secretary General Kim Seung-hee. Chung stated, "During my tenure, I tried my utmost for the development of Korean football, but I apologize for the series of controversies and for the unsatisfactory result at the North and Central America World Cup. I fully recognize my responsibility and am sorry for not meeting the expectations of the people and fans."

Hong Myung-bo, the former head coach, also said, "First of all, I would like to apologize for not living up to the expectations of the public regarding the World Cup result. I take seriously the responsibility for not meeting the expectations placed upon the national team."

Both Chung and Hong actively refuted the various suspicions, such as 'cartel' or 'special favors.' Chung stated that there were no procedural issues in the appointment processes for former head coaches Jurgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo, and reiterated that, since he had already expressed his intention to resign prior to the World Cup and stepped down, he would not run in the next election.

Monggyu Chung, former president of the Korea Football Association (left), and Myungbo Hong, former coach of the national football team, appeared as witnesses on the 30th at the hearing on current issues of the Korea Football Association held by the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Lim Saeng, former technical director of the Korea Football Association (currently technical director of Cambodia’s Nagaworld FC), and Park Hang-seo, former vice president (currently head coach of Kanchanaburi Power FC in Thailand's second division), did not attend. Of the 13 people originally named as reference witnesses, only four attended, including Yoo Seung-min, the president of the Korea Sports Council, and Kim Dae-hee, a member of the K-Football Innovation Committee.

Chairperson Lee Jae-jung expressed regret over the absence of some witnesses and reference witnesses as well as the insufficient reasons for their non-attendance, stating, "Just because one avoids participation at this hearing, it does not free them from accountability," and added that they may be called again for future parliamentary audits.

Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties pointed out that, under Chung’s leadership over the past 13 years, the Korea Football Association had functioned like a "private organization." Criticism was also raised over the association's decision to file lawsuits in response to disciplinary actions demanded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism following an audit two years ago, saying this was a private reaction to defend the former president. Additionally, there was scrutiny over a succession of former vice ministers from the ministry being appointed as vice presidents of the association, questioning the appropriateness of such practices.

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