Police say one more complaint has been filed over Hong Myung-bo's appointment, bringing total to nine; "We will reach a conclusion quickly"

[Financial News] Police are reportedly investigating a total of nine cases related to allegations that Hong Myung-bo was improperly appointed as head coach of the national football team.
At a regular press briefing on the 13th, Park Jeong-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said, "Jongno Police Station had been investigating eight cases, but they have now been transferred to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit's Financial Crimes Investigation Team for a focused probe. One additional complaint has been filed, bringing the total to nine cases."
Police are looking into whether senior Korea Football Association (KFA) officials, including former KFA chairman Jung Mong-gyu, improperly intervened in the appointment process. Since July 2024, Seoul Jongno Police Station has received eight complaints and questioned KFA officials, including Jung and former technical director Lee Im-saeng, but the investigation made no progress for two years.
Police plan to question the Committee for the Protection of Ordinary People's Livelihood on the 14th as the complainant in its case against former KFA chairman Jung and others. On the same day, KFA officials will also be summoned as witnesses. Earlier, on the 2nd, the committee filed a complaint with police against former chairman Jung, former technical director Lee, and coach Hong on charges including coercion, intimidation, obstruction of business, and breach of trust in the course of duty.
Park said, "There is strong public interest, so we will conduct a focused investigation and reach a conclusion as quickly as possible."
As for the case involving Paichai High School students who chanted slogans mocking the May 18 Democratic Uprising at students from Gwangju Jeil High School during a national high school baseball tournament, police plan to close the case without referral for prosecution after Gwangju Jeil High School said it did not wish to pursue punishment.
Park explained, "Paichai High School visited Gwangju Jeil High School to apologize, and the victims also said they did not want punishment. Since this is a crime that cannot be punished if the victim does not want it, I think it will be resolved properly."
Regarding the investigation into Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' promotion, he said, "We have received audit materials and forensic data from Shinsegae Group and are analyzing them," adding, "Questioning of those involved is also proceeding according to procedure."
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter