Representative Im Oh-kyung of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had requested that national team players Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) appear as witnesses for a hearing on the Korea Football Association (KFA), decided to withdraw the request today, July 10.

In a post on Facebook today, Representative Im stated, "I requested the players as witnesses to hear the voices of active athletes who have experienced the association, the national team, and overseas football systems, but I have decided to withdraw the request after considering the party's opinion and the players' match schedules."

The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee passed a motion yesterday to adopt a plan for a hearing on the KFA, designating 13 individuals, including former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, as witnesses for the hearing scheduled for July 22.

Along with this, 10 people were confirmed as witnesses, including Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan, Park Ji-sung—a member of the FIFA Football Committee and co-chair of the K-Football Innovation Committee—and Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Lee Kee-heung.

This sparked criticism from some corners, arguing that it is inappropriate to summon players who have little direct involvement in the issues to a hearing intended to investigate problems regarding the national team head coach selection process and the operation of the KFA.

Representative Jin Jong-oh of the People Power Party, an Olympic gold medalist in shooting, criticized Representative Im on Facebook today, stating, "What needs to be resolved through the hearing is the association's opaque operational structure and the fairness of the coach selection process."

He further urged the withdrawal of the witness requests for the two players, saying, "Do not turn football reform into a political show."

Cheon HARAM, floor leader of the Reform Party, also pointed out on Facebook, "Are you trying to cover up the association's incompetence and mismanagement by framing the cause of the poor World Cup performance as a conflict between Son Heung-min and coach Hong?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)