Ex-National Footballer Criticized for Working Only 26 Days in 10 Months Despite 140 Million Won Salary Funded by Taxes

Former national football team player Lee Dong-gook, currently serving as the technical director for Yongin FC, is facing controversy over alleged dereliction of duty after it was revealed he reported to the club office only 26 days over the past 10 months.

His annual salary is 144 million won.

According to data obtained by the office of Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Kim Jae-won, Lee accessed the club office at Yongin Mireu Stadium for only 26 days out of the 308-day period from December 14 of last year to October 17 of this year.

This averages out to about once every 12 days.

Access records for the initial six months following his appointment prior to this period were not verified.

Lee signed a two-year contract with Yongin FC in June of last year.

The total contract amount is 288 million won, which translates to an annual salary of 144 million won.

The technical director position oversees the club's mid-to-long-term strategies, player development, and technological advancement.

However, it remains unclear whether Lee attended the talent reinforcement committee meetings, which discuss player capability evaluations and other matters.

Although a total of 14 meetings were scheduled from March to October of this year, the only day Lee's access to the office was confirmed was March 6.

He was listed as an attendee on May 23, the only date an official meeting minute was drawn up, but there was no record of him entering the building.

Some critics have raised claims that Lee only showed up to work about once a week, attended meetings for roughly four hours before returning home, and left major tasks such as player recruitment to scouts.

Meanwhile, Yongin FC explained that because Lee is a non-regular contractor, the same commuting standards applied to regular employees were not imposed on him.

The club added that he participated in club events and open player tryouts, and was also involved in establishing business agreements with clubs in Japan and Spain.

At the same time, the club stated that it deeply reflects on its failure to maintain sufficient objective records to verify the performance of his duties.

Lee's side also conveyed its stance, saying, "We feel sorry that appearing to work on a non-regular basis while receiving a six-figure salary may have fallen short in the eyes of the public."

However, they explained in defense that over the past year, he went to work up to three times a week and discussed official business outside the office via messengers and other means.

Lawmaker Kim Jae-won pointed out that since the club is funded by citizens' taxes, it is necessary to verify whether duties commensurate with the high compensation were performed and whether management and oversight were properly conducted.

(Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Yu-jin | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.