Byungji Kim: "Moon-sung Park, Are You Running for National Assembly?"...Football Community Feud Escalates into Mud-Slinging Exposés

Disputes Grow as Family Issues Are Raised
Kim Byungji: "Will Disclose Documents If Necessary"

The conflict between Byungji Kim, CEO of Gangwon FC, and Moon-sung Park, football commentator, is escalating into legal actions and a series of mutual exposés. After Commentator Park raised various suspicions surrounding CEO Kim and Gangwon FC, CEO Kim responded by announcing plans for a civil lawsuit and publicly mentioning Park's past and family matters to counterattack.

Byungji Kim, CEO of Gangwon FC. Byungji Kim Instagram

On August 24, CEO Kim posted a lengthy message on his social media, addressing several pointed questions to Commentator Park. He began by saying, "I would like to ask Moon-sung Park: Are you perhaps planning to run for the National Assembly? While I believe you would not use football as a political platform, there are many rumors." He also pointed out that Park is currently a co-chair of the Professional Football Growth Committee launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and emphasized, "As a public figure, I believe you are obliged to clarify the various suspicions circulating in public."

Byungji Kim, Following Civil Lawsuit Warning, Publicly Questions About Use of Association Credit Card and Rumors of Political Ambition

CEO Kim also referred to Park’s past involvement with the Korea Football Association. Kim stated, "In the past, didn’t you work a lot with the association? I don’t think it was simply volunteer work," and questioned the circumstances behind Park’s participation in association events. Referring to the recent controversy over the association’s corporate card usage, he publicly asked, "Have you ever attended meals or after-party gatherings paid for with the association’s corporate card since your days as a reporter?"

Kim also raised questions about the timing of Park's intensified criticism of the Korea Football Association. He said, "It seems that the scope and intensity of your criticism of the association expanded from 2024," further asking whether Park had shown interest in the association’s vice presidential post back in 2023. However, Kim raised these suspicions in the form of questions rather than making conclusive statements. Kim said, "You often talk about my sons, but how did your daughter end up studying abroad in Canada while still in middle school?" and retorted, "Do you think it’s right to hold yourself to the same scrutiny you’ve demanded of me and my family?"

Commentator Moonseong Park. Moonseong Park Instagram

The conflict between the two escalated after Park publicly criticized issues related to Kim’s son. Previously, through his YouTube channel, Park took issue with the fact that Kim’s son was included in a youth training program in London last year for Gangwon FC youth players.

The youth training in London was part of a collaborative project between Gangwon FC and Tottenham Hotspur after Minhyuk Yang transferred to the English Premier League club. The controversy arose when it was revealed that five promising high school players, including Kim’s son—who was not a member of the Gangwon FC youth team—participated in the program. This matter had already become a point of controversy last year, at which time Kim issued a public apology.

Disputes Grow as Family Issues Are Raised...CEO Kim: "Will Disclose Documents If Necessary"

The conflict intensified recently as Park once again brought up this issue, raising further suspicions about CEO Kim’s trip to the North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup and his visit to Cancun, Mexico. On August 21, CEO Kim directly responded to these allegations through his YouTube channel, "Kkongbyungji TV." He argued that some of the claims were being misrepresented and damaging the reputation of himself and Gangwon FC, and announced his intention to file a civil lawsuit against both Park and the YouTube channel "Dalsoone Live."

Subsequently, CEO Kim continued to bring up Park’s past connections with the football association, credit card usage, rumors of political ambitions, and family-related matters, pushing the conflict beyond mere suspicion and explanation into the realm of public exposés. When asked whether he had specific materials or evidence to support his allegations, CEO Kim said, "If necessary, I will organize the information and disclose it at a later date." In response to Kim’s public accusations, Park tersely replied, "CEO Kim can simply undergo the investigation."

With neither side backing down, the conflict that began with controversies over the management of Gangwon FC has now expanded to include the Korea Football Association, past behaviors, and even personal matters. However, as some of the issues raised by both parties have not been fact-checked, their veracity is expected to be determined through future investigations, legal proceedings, or the disclosure of additional evidence.

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