Jeong Mong-kyu, the former president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), is being investigated by police as a suspect for allegedly interfering in the selection process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. This marks the first time Jeong has been summoned since the case was transferred to the Seoul Police.
The Seoul Police's Financial Crime Investigation Unit summoned Jeong around noon on September 2, questioning him on charges of obstruction of business by deception.
Upon arriving at the Mapo Police Station at 11:54 a.m., Jeong denied any wrongdoing when asked by reporters about his alleged interference in the coach selection process, stating, "I believe I did not interfere at all." He added, "I will cooperate fully with the police investigation."
Jeong is accused of using his position to obstruct the board's final approval process and provide undue advantages during the selection of Hong as the national team coach in 2024. A civic group, the Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasure Committee, previously filed a complaint against Jeong for coercion, intimidation, and obstruction of business.
Concerns about the allegations have also emerged from within the association. Lee Im-sang, the former technical director of the KFA, claimed in a lawsuit filed with the Seoul High Court, which is mediating a dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KFA, that he interviewed three coaching candidates, including Hong, at Jeong's direction.
The case was initially handled by the Jongno Police Station, which received eight related complaints starting in July 2024. However, after nearly two years without significant progress, the investigation faced criticism for being sluggish. The controversy intensified following the national team's early exit from the World Cup and comments from President Lee Jae-myung regarding personnel failures. Consequently, the investigation was transferred to the Seoul Police's Special Investigation Unit on July 1.
Since taking over the case, the police have accelerated their investigation. On August 6, they conducted searches at the KFA headquarters in Jongno and the KFA office in Cheonan, securing relevant documents. They have also summoned board members and several members of the Strengthening Committee to verify the facts. On August 26, they questioned Kim Jeong-bae, the former KFA vice president.
Hong, the former coach, was also summoned for a closed-door investigation as a suspect on August 4. However, he reportedly stated that he had no direct communication with Jeong during his selection process.
The police are expected to investigate whether Jeong directly influenced the entire process from recommending candidates to the final selection and whether he exerted pressure on other KFA executives, including the former technical director.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.