Police have referred Jung Mong-kyu, the former president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), to prosecutors for allegedly distributing false documents to make it appear that proper procedures were followed in the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
On September 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Unit sent Jung, along with former Technical Director Lee Im-sang and former Vice President Kim Jeong-bae, to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges of obstruction of duty. This follows approximately three months of investigation after the case was transferred to the police agency.
According to police, the three are accused of improperly intervening in the work of the KFA's Strengthening Committee, which has the authority to recommend coaches, and of creating false documents for the board of directors to conceal their actions. Police believe they disrupted the normal operations of the board by distributing these false materials to its members.
Investigations revealed that the documents falsely stated that former Strengthening Committee Chairman Jeong Hae-seong had requested the appointment of a new coach after his resignation, despite no such request being made. The documents also included misleading statements suggesting that Lee, who lacked the authority to appoint a coach, was conducting the process legitimately based on the opinions of Jung and others.
In addition to Jung and Lee, police found evidence implicating Kim in the creation of the false documents, leading to his change in status from witness to suspect.
Police assessed that the motive behind the actions was to avoid criticism that decisions within the KFA were overly influenced by a few executives. Given previous concerns about fairness in the coaching appointment process, they created false documents to project an appearance of legitimacy.
However, police found no evidence linking Hong Myung-bo to any collusion or involvement in the obstruction of duty, leading to a decision not to charge him. Allegations regarding excessive salary payments to Hong and defamation related to player disputes were also dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
In response to the police's decision, Jung's legal team expressed deep regret, stating in a press release, "We have thoroughly explained that the appointment of the national team coach followed normal procedures during the investigation. There was no reason to deceive the board, nor was there any deception. We will clarify misunderstandings and reveal the truth during the prosecution's investigation process."
The investigation into this case began in July 2024, following the receipt of eight complaints at the Jongno Police Station. Although the investigation faced delays, it gained attention after the national team’s elimination from the group stage of the North and Central America World Cup and comments from President Lee Jae-myung. The case was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Unit in July of this year. Police conducted searches of the KFA headquarters and the KFA in Cheonan, as well as questioning over 60 related individuals, to solidify the allegations and conclude the investigation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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