Police Launch Broad Probe Into Football Association, Also Investigating Allegation That Chung Mong-gyu Switched Phones

[Financial News] Police said they will continue investigating cases related to the Korea Football Association, including allegations that former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu switched his mobile phone.
At a regular press briefing on the 10th, an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, "One additional case related to the Korea Football Association has recently been received, bringing the total to nine cases under investigation." The official added, "As there are a large number of people involved in the cases, including suspects, we are questioning multiple witnesses."
Police are currently investigating whether executives of the football association improperly intervened in the process of appointing former coach Hong Myung-bo as the national team head coach in 2024. Earlier, the financial crimes investigation unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's major crimes division raided the KFA office in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and the Football Center in Jongno District, Seoul, from 9 a.m. to 8:22 p.m. on the 6th, seizing materials needed for the investigation during an operation that lasted about 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "We are continuing to analyze the seized materials and investigate key witnesses and other people involved in the case." The official added, "It has not been long since the search and seizure, so it is too early to discuss the results of the analysis of the seized materials."
As broad investigations and a series of controversies continue to surround the Korea Football Association, allegations that foreign referees were provided sexual favors in the past have also resurfaced. However, police have not yet launched an investigation into those allegations.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "We have not yet begun an investigation." The official added, "We need to review the requirements for prosecution and other factors, and we have not yet confirmed the statute of limitations." Regarding reports that former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu changed his phone after the World Cup elimination, the official stressed, "We will conduct the investigation thoroughly, including that part."
Police said they are currently investigating 58 cases involving 226 people in connection with the protest at the vote-counting site at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Songpa District, Seoul, which was triggered by a shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "Of the 122 cases involving 324 people received so far, 64 cases involving 98 people have been closed." The official added, "The remaining 58 cases involving 226 people are still under investigation."
In cases involving obstruction of business at sports organizations under the KSOC, police have sent six of the nine suspects to prosecutors and decided not to refer two others. The remaining one person will be referred later. In a case involving an unauthorized search of belongings of the women's handball junior national team, five people were found guilty and sent to prosecutors. Police also referred six people to prosecutors in a case involving the assault of a reporter.
In cases of assault on police officers and obstruction of official duties, police have handled five of the six cases, sending three people to prosecutors in custody and five without detention. The remaining case is still under investigation. In addition, of nine cases involving insults and defamation of police officers, two have been referred to prosecutors and seven are still under investigation.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "We are also taking down and blocking false information online. So far, we have requested the removal or blocking of 387 posts, and 244 of them have already been handled." The official added, "There have been a total of 101 cases of assaults between citizens, of which 52 have been closed and 42 are under investigation."
[email protected] Jang Yu-ha Reporter