Former Coach Hong Myung-bo Summoned by Police for First Time; Investigation into Allegations of KFA Appointment

[Financial News] Police investigating the Korea Football Association's (KFA) appointment process for the national football team head coach have summoned former head coach Hong Myung-bo for the first time.
According to the police on the 5th, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Regional Investigation Division summoned former coach Hong the previous day for questioning as a defendant.
Former coach Hong was accused on the 2nd of last month by a civic group of charges including obstruction of business and breach of trust in connection with the appointment process.
It is reported that the police questioned former coach Hong regarding the circumstances of his appointment as the national team coach, whether there was prior consultation with KFA officials, and whether there was any undue intervention by external parties or high-ranking KFA officials in the appointment process.
This is the first time the police have directly questioned former coach Hong since launching an investigation into suspicions surrounding his appointment process in 2024. Former Coach Hong has not been questioned by the police even as a witness until now.
The police are currently investigating nine combined complaints filed regarding the process of appointing former Coach Hong. It is reported that they previously summoned key defendants, including former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-kyu, as well as witnesses, to investigate the entire process of the coach appointment and decision-making.
[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter