Lee Lim-saeng, former technical director of the Korea Football Association (KFA), has directly joined the administrative lawsuit between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the KFA regarding the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, entering into a legal battle.
The legal representative for the former director stated, "Contrary to the findings of the MCST audit, there is clear handwritten material recorded by the former director at the time of interviewing former coach Hong," adding, "To correct incorrect factual relations and rumors, we submitted a motion to join the lawsuit on the 4th to the Seoul High Court, where the appeal between the MCST and the KFA is currently underway."
Previously, at the end of 2024, the MCST announced the results of a specific audit into the KFA, concluding that there were serious procedural violations in the process of appointing former coach Hong, and recommended heavy disciplinary action against KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, Vice President Kim Jung-bae, and the former director.
In response, the KFA filed an administrative lawsuit against the MCST, stating it could not accept part of the audit results, but lost in the first instance. An appellate trial is currently being held at the Seoul High Court.
The side of the former director stated that they will prove in court that the appointment process at the time was carried out normally in accordance with specific instructions from the president and vice president.
The side of the former director explained, "After finishing interviews with the final three candidates, including coach Hong Myung-bo, when we conveyed Hong's willingness to accept the position to President Chung, we received an immediate instruction on the spot to 'go with coach Hong,'" adding, "Subsequently, specific work instructions followed from Vice President Kim, such as announcing the internal appointment through the public relations office, proceeding with the contract through a dedicated staff member, and having the former director write a report."
An explanation was also given regarding the former director's trip to Cambodia, which recently sparked controversy over allegedly fleeing abroad for employment.
The side of the former director drew a line against the suspicions of fleeing, stating, "The time when the offer was finally accepted was June 12, when the South Korean national football team defeated the Czech Republic," which was before the controversy over responsibility for the national team's defeat arose.
Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Lee Dain | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
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