Former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu Questioned by Police as Suspect Over Alleged Intervention in Hong Myung-bo's Appointment

Former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, suspected of improperly intervening in the appointment of former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo, reported to the police today (the 2nd) as a suspect.

The Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has been questioning Chung, who faces charges including obstruction of business by fraudulent means, since around 12:00 PM today.

Previously, the civic group People's Livelihood Countermeasure Committee raised suspicions that Chung improperly intervened in the appointment process of former coach Hong in 2024 and filed a complaint charging him with coercion, intimidation, obstruction of business, and occupational breach of trust.

Accordingly, the police are investigating whether Chung used his authority and status as president to obstruct the business of the board of directors, which holds the final approval for the coach's appointment.

The police are expected to question Chung today on whether he intervened in the process of appointing former coach Hong and whether he exerted pressure on association executives or board members, such as former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, to secure Hong's appointment.

This marks the first time the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has summoned and questioned Chung, the central figure of the allegations, since taking over the case from the Jongno Police Station on July 1.

The Jongno Police Station had been assigned a total of eight complaints since July 2024, investigating association officials including Chung and former Technical Director Lee.

However, no significant disposition was made for about two years following the assignment. After the national team's elimination in the World Cup group stage this year, facing President Lee Jae-myung's reprimanding remarks regarding "personnel failures" and severe public criticism, the case was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's metropolitan investigation unit.

After taking over the case, the Seoul police conducted a raid on the Korea Football Association and other locations on the 6th of last month, and have recently called in and questioned multiple members of the National Team Strengthening Committee and board directors.

On the 26th of last month, former KFA Executive Vice President Kim Jung-bae was summoned and questioned.

Former coach Hong, who underwent questioning as a suspect on the 4th of last month, distanced himself from the allegations, stating that he had never contacted Chung separately regarding his appointment as coach.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.