New Claim Emerges: "Chung Mong-gyu Gave Orders" Amid Dispute Over Responsibility

Former Korea Football Association Technical Director Lee Im-saeng has directly joined the administrative lawsuit between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KFA regarding the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, stepping into legal battle.

Lee's legal representative stated, "Unlike the findings of the Ministry's audit, handwritten records made by Lee at the time of his meeting with former coach Hong certainly exist," adding, "To correct incorrect facts and rumors, we submitted an application to join the lawsuit to the Seoul High Court, where the appeal between the Ministry and the KFA is currently underway, on the 4th."

Previously, the Ministry announced the results of a specific audit of the KFA in late 2024, concluding that there were serious procedural violations in the appointment process of former coach Hong and recommending heavy disciplinary action against KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, Vice President Kim Jung-bae, and former Director Lee.

In response, the KFA filed an administrative lawsuit against the Ministry, claiming it could not accept parts of the audit results, but lost in the first instance. The appeal trial is currently being held at the Seoul High Court.

Lee's side 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.

Lee's side explained, "After finishing interviews with the final three candidates including coach Hong Myung-bo, we conveyed Hong's intent to accept the position to President Chung, and received an instruction right on the spot to 'go with Hong Myung-bo,'" 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 employee, and having former Director Lee draft a report."

An explanation was also provided regarding former Director Lee's departure for Cambodia, which recently sparked controversy over alleged overseas flight from scrutiny.

Lee's side drew a line against the suspicion of fleeing, stating, "The time when the offer was finally accepted was June 12 of this year when the South Korean World Cup national team defeated Czechia," before controversies 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
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.