Police have summoned Kim Jung-bae, the former vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), as part of an investigation into allegations of improper interference by KFA officials in the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crimes Investigation Unit is focusing on whether Kim, who oversaw KFA operations at the time, exceeded his authority and deviated from established procedures during the coach selection process.
The police are also questioning Yoon Deok-yeo, a former member of the National Team Strengthening Committee, to verify the recommendation and evaluation process. They have not disclosed the specific status of either individual as a suspect or witness.
Kim, who previously served as the vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was the only full-time vice president at the KFA during Hong's appointment in 2024, and he is accused of having improperly influenced the selection process.
Earlier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted a special audit of the KFA in 2024, which led to recommendations for severe penalties, including suspension of qualifications, against Kim, former KFA president Chung Mong-kyu, and former technical director Lee Im-sang for their unauthorized involvement in the coach selection process.
The police are reviewing the audit findings and materials obtained from searches of KFA offices in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jongno-gu, Seoul, to examine the overall coach selection process.
Following investigations of committee members and former directors, the police executed searches on August 6 at KFA offices in Cheonan and the KFA headquarters in Seoul. Based on the analysis of the seized materials, they are expected to summon former president Chung as a suspect for questioning soon.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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