Police Raid South Korean Football Association Amid World Cup Scandal

South Korean police conducted raids on the national football association's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged cronyism surrounding the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.

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The South Korean police raided the national football association KFA on Thursday.

The investigation centers on suspicions of impropriety in how Hong, who stepped down in late June following the team's dismal World Cup showing, was hired. South Korea's early exit from the tournament drew widespread criticism, with much of the ire directed at Hong, who also led the team during a disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign.

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Agents were looking for evidence of irregularities in the appointment of former national coach Hong Myung-bo.

Public anger towards Hong has been intense, with past incidents including supporters pelting players with candy at the airport and recent death threats. His appointment was controversial not only due to his previous track record but also because of the irregular hiring process. The association reportedly searched for a foreign successor for months before abruptly appointing Hong, allegedly after intervention from then-chairman Chung Mong-gyu.

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The South Korean national team was eliminated in the group stage, and much criticism was directed at Hong.

The controversy has cast a spotlight on the deep connections between the Korea Football Association and the Hyundai conglomerate, chaired by Chung. Hong was coaching Ulsan HD FC, a club affiliated with Hyundai, at the time of his appointment. Further scrutiny has fallen on a Hyundai executive who allegedly worked for the association for 11 years against regulations, receiving a substantial sum. The Ministry of Sport had previously concluded that the association violated its own rules following Hong's appointment and had called for sanctions against Chairman Chung.

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His appointment, in 2024, was already controversial.