[Anchor]
As calls for accountability grow against Korea Football Association (KFA) leadership, including President Chung Mong-gyu, attention is turning to a related investigation that police have left stagnant for two years. The case involves allegations of unfair interference in the appointment of head coach Hong Myung-bo, and police have now announced a plan to actively pursue the investigation.
Reported by Yoo Soo-hwan.
[Reporter]
Two years ago, at a National Assembly audit of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee.
Criticism poured in regarding allegations that KFA President Chung Mong-gyu had unfairly intervened in the process of selecting the national team coach.
[Kim Seung-soo / National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (September 24, 2024): The process itself was extremely unfair. That is why there is such anger among football fans and the public.]
[Chung Mong-gyu / KFA President (September 24, 2024): I believe there are many misunderstandings regarding the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo. I do not think it deviated significantly from procedures and practices.]
Following this, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the results of a special audit of the KFA, citing 27 instances of illegal or improper administrative handling, including the coach selection process, and demanded heavy disciplinary action against three individuals, including President Chung.
[Choi Hyun-jun / Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Auditor (November 5, 2024): When appointing coach Hong Myung-bo, the technical director, who had no authority, conducted interviews in an unfair and opaque manner simply because it was the president's instruction...]
Eight complaints related to this matter have also been filed with the police.
The allegations include that President Chung appointed coach Hong and determined his salary while ignoring regulations.
However, the police investigation has failed to reach a conclusion for two years.
Regarding this, the police explained that they "needed to watch the administrative litigation process" initiated by the KFA against the Ministry to cancel the demand for President Chung's heavy disciplinary action. In April, the first-instance court ruled in favor of the Ministry, confirming procedural illegality.
After President Lee Jae-myung criticized the team's confirmed elimination, stating, "The failure to advance to the World Cup finals is a failure of organization and personnel management," the police have only now stated that they will "actively proceed with the necessary investigation."
It is reported that the police are also considering the necessity of summoning President Chung for questioning, but they will likely face criticism for only launching a full-scale investigation under pressure from public opinion and the President's remarks.
Reported by Yoo Soo-hwan | Video by Kim Jin-won
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