▲ Former National Football Team Manager Hong Myung-bo
Former national football team manager Hong Myung-bo, who faces allegations that he was appointed through the intervention of upper-level figures at the Korea Football Association (KFA), stated during police questioning that he had no communication with then-KFA President Chung Mong-gyu.
According to confirmation by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Friday (August 14), investigators secured statements from Hong during his suspect interrogation on August 4 to the effect that he "never contacted President Chung Mong-gyu during the manager selection process."
Hong gave this response when asked whether he had contacted former President Chung Mong-gyu before or after his selection as manager.
Police have been investigating whether there was unfair intervention by upper-level figures—such as former President Chung and then-KFA Technical Director Lee Im-saeng—in the appointment of Hong as manager in 2024, but Hong stated that he had no knowledge of such matters.
Previously, former Technical Director Lee also claimed in a request to join a lawsuit submitted to the Seoul High Court—which is reviewing the dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KFA—that he met with and interviewed three managerial candidates, including Hong, upon the instructions of former President Chung.
When asked whether he knew anything about the discussions held at the time by the KFA's National Team Committee, which screens managerial candidates, Hong stated, "I know nothing about it."
In addition, regarding charges of professional breach of trust—one of the allegations against him—Hong reportedly responded to questions about why his salary was high by stating that he received a similar salary when he was the manager of Ulsan HD in professional football.
With both former manager Hong and former Director Lee denying the allegations of intervention, police are expected to focus their investigation on determining whether former President Chung used his position to obstruct the board's duties of granting final approval for the manager selection.
Police reportedly raided the KFA office in Cheonan and the Football House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 6 to secure materials related to the manager selection.
Once the analysis of the seized items is complete, former President Chung is expected to be summoned for questioning.
(Photo: National Assembly Press Corps, Yonhap News)
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