Police Raid KFA Headquarters Over Coach Hong Myung-bo Appointment Allegations

Police conducted a raid on the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters on June 6 as part of an investigation into alleged improprieties surrounding the appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's financial crime investigation unit searched offices at the KFA headquarters in Gwanghwamun and the Cheonan Football Center.

This marks the first coercive measure by the police since citizen groups filed complaints in 2024 regarding the appointment processes of both Hong Myung-bo and former coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The search warrants reportedly included charges such as obstruction of business.

Police had previously questioned Hong Myung-bo as a suspect on June 4. Through the current search and seizure operation, authorities aim to secure internal KFA documents and investigate whether any undue influence or intervention occurred during the selection process for the national team coach.

The investigation is related to allegations that surfaced during a special audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in late 2024. The audit identified procedural issues in Hong's appointment and led the ministry to recommend disciplinary actions against several KFA officials, including President Chung Mong-gyu and Vice President Kim Jeong-bae. The KFA subsequently filed an administrative lawsuit against the ministry's findings, which it lost in the first trial.