Jeonbuk Football Association President Seo Kang-il faces backlash over 'reckless' remarks about Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo

Seo Kang-il, president of the Jeonbuk Football Association, has ignited a firestorm of criticism for his remarks targeting football legends Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, as well as the newly formed K-Football Innovation Committee. In a recent interview, Seo questioned the qualifications of Park and Lee, who co-chair the committee, stating, "Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo were national team players, but how much of life have they lived, what do they know about the law, to speak so carelessly?" He challenged them to run for election themselves rather than just criticize.

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Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo were national team players, but how much of life have they lived, what do they know about the law, to speak so carelessly?

Seo's comments have drawn widespread backlash from football fans, with the Jeonbuk Football Association's website flooded with over 100 posts demanding his resignation. Many fans view his statements as disconnected from the urgent need for reform within Korean football. Criticisms include calls for an apology to Park and Lee, and demands for Seo to step down, with many expressing disbelief and frustration at his public stance.

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This is not a sports association election. If the number of electors in football increases, more factions will emerge.

Adding to the controversy, Seo also voiced opposition to proposed changes in the Korea Football Association's election system. He argued that increasing the number of electors would foster factionalism and criticized attempts to amend the association's articles of association, insisting that a by-election should be held within 60 days according to existing rules. His defense of former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, whom he described as having made a "13-year sacrifice" rather than a "13-year reign," and his comments on the past amnesty for match-fixers, suggesting "sometimes you have to forgive and understand," further fueled public anger.

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There are always trial and error in life, except for God. I think of it as 13 years of sacrifice, not 13 years of reign.

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of growing calls for reform in Korean football. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism established the K-Football Innovation Committee to improve association operations and election systems, while the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation recently approved amendments to its articles of association to expand the electorate. Seo's remarks appear to run counter to these reform efforts, intensifying fan dissatisfaction.

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Sometimes you have to forgive and understand.