Allegations of Sexual Harassment Against Foreign Referees
The Korean Football Association has been embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of sexual harassment against foreign referees. A 2016 report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found that the association had used 560 million won at massage shops. The targets included referees who officiated at the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and the 2012 London Olympic qualifying matches.
Police Investigation
The police are conducting an investigation into the appointment of the head coach and the election of the president of the Korean Football Association. The police have been searching the headquarters of the association since last week.
Empty Head Coach Positions
South Korea failed to advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. The appointment of the head coach was also under investigation. The association had conducted several interviews with foreign coaches over several months, but eventually appointed the current coach after a brief meeting.
Reform of the Election System
The Korean Football Association is currently without a head coach and president. The Park Ji-seong Joint Committee has proposed to expand the election committee from 200 to 20,000 members. The committee aims to increase the participation of football fans in the election process.
BBC Evaluation
The BBC stated that the situation is getting worse and that the Korean Football Association is facing a deep crisis. The BBC also mentioned that the police investigation and the empty head coach positions are adding to the crisis.
