▲ Korea Football Association
Police investigating alleged irregularities in the appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo announced that they will review whether they can also look into the recently surfaced Korea Football Association (KFA) "referee sexual favor" case.
During a regular briefing today (August 10), an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said regarding the potential investigation into the sexual favor allegations, "If we initiate an investigation, we will review it. We have not initiated one yet."
Police added, "It seems necessary to review prosecution requirements and other related matters, but we have not yet verified the detailed information," indicating that basic investigative prerequisites, including the statute of limitations, have not yet been determined.
The controversy has grown day by day following the belated revelation that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed through a 2016 audit that the KFA provided sexual favors to about 10 people, including foreign referees and match commissioners, across seven matches—three World Cup and Olympic preliminary matches and four friendly matches—between 2011 and 2012.
Because the incident occurred 15 years ago, the statute of limitations poses a hurdle for police to immediately launch an investigation.
Potential charges that could be reviewed for this case include occupational breach of trust or violations of the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic.
However, under current law, cases with a statute of limitations exceeding 15 years typically apply only to major crimes.
Even if the allegations of sexual favors are confirmed, an investigation cannot proceed if the statute of limitations has expired.
Police are currently focusing on the investigation into the appointment of former coach Hong, pouring their investigative capacity into scrutinizing the KFA decision-making process that led from the National Team Strengthening Committee to the Board of Directors.
Police stated, "The procedure-related materials (secured through the search and seizure) are meaningful."
Following the recent successive summons of figures in the football community who served as members of the Strengthening Committee at the time, police have also sequentially questioned accused individuals such as former coach Hong and former KFA Technical Director Lee Im-saeng.
On August 6, they also executed a widespread search and seizure targeting the KFA offices and other locations.
It was reported that they also secured the mobile phone of former President Chung Mong-gyu.
Regarding suspicions surrounding former President Chung's replacement of his mobile phone, police stated, "We will faithfully investigate, including those aspects."
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