The ongoing police investigation of the Korean Football Association (KFA) has brought to light serious allegations against former national team coach Hong Myung-bo and former KFA chairman Jung Mong-kyu regarding irregularities in the coaching appointment process. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Team is investigating whether there was improper intervention by officials during the process of appointing Hong Myung-bo as the head coach for 2024. This is the first time that the Korea Football Association has faced a compulsory investigation from law enforcement.
The police are investigating whether there were improper interventions by officials during the appointment process in 2024, and plan to verify if former KFA chairman Jung Mong-kyu and former technical director Leeim Seung violated regulations or improperly intervened in decision-making processes of the board. Hong Myung-bo also appeared as a suspect before the police on April 4th for an investigation into the entire appointment process.
This case is drawing attention in China as well, where it is reminiscent of a similar scandal involving former Chinese national team coach Li Tie, who was involved in bribery and other financial improprieties. Li Tie was indicted in 2023 after it was revealed that he had accepted bribes to become the head coach and used his influence over the national team's selections for monetary gain. According to investigations by Chinese authorities, Li Tie gave 1 million yuan (approximately 21.093 million won) to relevant parties to secure his position as head coach and a club also reportedly paid 2 million yuan (approximately 42.186 million won) to the then China Football Association president.
Li Tie was found guilty by an appeals court in 2022, with his sentence of 20 years imprisonment being upheld. As a result of this case, Tian Xiwan, former president of the Chinese Football Association, received a life sentence and key figures who led Chinese football administration such as Li Wei, vice-president, and Ma Qingtian, president of the Super League, were sentenced to more than ten years in prison.
While the legal proceedings against Hong Myung-bo and Jung Mong-kyu are still ongoing, it is important to note that the facts and legal responsibilities of both cases should be judged separately.
