Police to actively investigate allegations surrounding South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo's appointment

South Korean police have pledged to actively investigate allegations concerning the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as the head coach of the national football team.

The investigation is a continuation of complaints filed in 2024 against Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu and others. These complaints allege improper intervention in the coach selection process. A police official stated that eight complaints related to the appointment have been received and are under investigation.

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We will actively conduct the necessary investigations.

Concerns were raised about the weakening of the National Team Development Committee's recommendation authority, with technical director Leeim Saeng allegedly exercising the recommendation rights. Criticism also surfaced regarding the selection process, which reportedly lacked proper interviews or board approval.

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The measure requested by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was not deemed unfair or illegal.

These issues were partially confirmed in an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, leading to a recommendation for severe disciplinary action against Chung Mong-gyu for improper intervention or aiding and abetting. The police explained that the delay in the investigation was due to the need to observe the proceedings of related administrative litigation.

Following the national team's failure to advance past the group stage in the 2026 World Cup, accountability for Hong Myung-bo and the Football Association has intensified. President Lee Jae-myung commented on social media, criticizing the selection of incompetent leaders based on favoritism and vowing to expedite reforms in sports administration to prevent future occurrences.

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If incompetent people are selected as commanders based on favoritism rather than ability, the results are obvious. We will quickly promote reforms in sports administration to prevent such incidents from recurring.