Controversy over the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as 'violation of regulations of the Korean Sports Council' will finally be on the National Assembly's radar
Controversy over the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as 'violation of regulations of the Korean Sports Council' will finally be on the National Assembly's radar
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Controversy over the process of appointing Hong Myung-bo as the coach of the South Korean national soccer team, which has caused great confusion in the soccer community, is heading to the National Assembly.
Among them, the process of Hong's appointment was found to be a violation of the regulations of the Korean Sports Council.
Ten witnesses, including Chung Mong-kyu, president of the Korea Football Association, Hong Myung-bo, and Lee Im-saeng, technical director of the Korea Football Association, will be summoned to the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 24th.
On this day, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee will call witnesses, including Chairman Chung and head coach Hong, to conduct an intensive investigation into the operation of the Korea Football Association and the controversy over the appointment of the head coach.
Ahead of the National Assembly's subpoena, the list of some 10 witnesses and reference persons has been selected, including Chairman Chung, Coach Hong and Director Lee. Also on the list of reference persons were Hwang Sun-hong and Kim Do-hoon, who formed the Korea Football Association's power reinforcement committee, as well as leaders who served as interim coaches for the Korean national soccer team.
Earlier on July 8, the Korea Football Association officially announced the appointment of Hong as the head coach of the Korean national team.
The post had been vacant for five months since former coach Jurgen Klinsmann stepped down in February this year. The Korea Football Association promised to officially appoint a foreign coach within May, but sluggish negotiations continued.
The Korea Football Association, which had remained vacant as the national team coach, hurriedly appointed Hong Myung-bo from the Ulsan HD team in the K-League to become the head coach. Hong, who had initially expressed opposition to the nomination, reportedly took the helm after a two-hour interview with Lee Im-saeng, technical director of the Korea Football Association. In the process, Hong became the coach without any preparation procedures, sparking controversy over preferential treatment for the appointment.
According to MBC's exclusive report on the 23rd, the Sports Ethics Center pointed out, "[The Football Association] did not comply with the regulation that 'if there are no laws or special regulations, it must obtain approval from the Korean Sports Council when selecting leaders."
In addition, Hong took the position of coach of the national team even though he did not have a second-class certificate as a professional sports instructor, which is a condition for the leadership of the Korean Sports Council.
The Korea Football Association said, "Coach Hong Myung-bo has a certificate of leadership of the Asian Football Confederation," and suggested based on internal regulations that "the board can appoint him with the recommendation of the Korea Electric Power Reinforcement Committee."
However, the Sports Ethics Center pointed out, "The association's internal regulations cannot exceed the regulations of the Korea Sports Council, a high-ranking organization, and soccer cannot make exceptions unlike other sports just because it has an international qualification."
In addition, the 먹튀검증 Korea Football Association, which opened negative bank accounts worth 61.5 billion won (61.5 million U.S. dollars) early this year, has not received approval from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and has been found to be far short of submitting additional data. Intense investigation is also expected.
On the 19th, Rep. Jin Jong-oh, a member of the National Assembly's stylistic committee, criticized, "Is it normal for major officials, including Chung Mong-gyu, president of the association, Hong Myung-bo, to remain silent and show irresponsible attitudes even though they are scheduled to appear at the National Assembly as witnesses?" and added, "The Korea Football Association, which should reveal the truth and hold accountable, and those who deceive the people will surely pay the price."
Amid a flurry of difficult issues with the Korea Football Association, including budget and managerial appointment, Minister Yoo In-chon also pointed out that Chairman Chung Mong-gyu should step down on his fourth consecutive term as president of the Korea Football Association.
The plenary session of the National Assembly's stylistic committee, which will be attended by Chairman Chung Mong-gyu and Director Hong Myung-bo, will begin at 10 a.m. on this day. Witnesses who attend the pending questionnaire will be given a witness certificate, and they can be punished if their remarks are found to be perjury.