"Damaging Korea's Image": KFA Apologizes as Overseas Disgrace Deepens and Japan is Implicated

[Anchor]

As allegations that foreign referees were provided with sexual entertainment in the past continue to spread, the Korea Football Association has issued an apology and bowed its head. With major foreign media outlets shedding light on the scandal, the reputation of South Korean football is plummeting.

Reporter Lee Jeong-Chan has the details.

[Reporter]

Following a parliamentary hearing and police raids investigating the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, news broke that foreign referees and match commissioners were provided with "sexual entertainment" during national team matches held in South Korea in 2011 and 2012. As trust in South Korean football has been severely shaken out of control, the Korea Football Association (KFA) has bowed its head once again.

The KFA released an apology stating, "We have lost our fundamental function of bringing joy and excitement, placing us in a truly disastrous situation," and added, "We feel deeply sorry."

However, regarding the past misconduct controversies, the association added, "Such inappropriate behavior is absolutely not occurring at present," and expressed hope that "the achievements and efforts made by our national team players will not be misunderstood."

Public opinion has plummeted to its worst, prompting the association to issue a rare weekend statement.

Major European media outlets in the UK, France, and Germany have highlighted the issue, causing international embarrassment. The situation is being watched with heightened sensitivity in Japan, in particular, as Japanese referees were reportedly among those targeted for the entertainment, with reports suggesting that "the Japan Football Association may need to offer an explanation."

Amid a flood of criticism that the incident has "tarnished the nation's image," the KFA vowed to "deeply take to heart the criticisms and use this as an opportunity for reform." Nevertheless, the reputation of South Korean football—once a powerhouse in Asian football that proudly achieved a historic semifinal run at the 2002 World Cup—is suffering a steep and unyielding fall.

(Video Editing: Park Ki-deok, Design: Kim Ye-ji)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.