“Did You Change Your Mobile Phone?” Chung Mong-gyu’s Answer to the Blunt Question... 12-Hour “Intensive Investigation” Ends

Chung Mong-gyu, former president of the Korea Football Association, was subjected to a 12-hour intensive police investigation over allegations that he exerted improper pressure during the appointment process of former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit Financial Crime Investigation Team questioned Chung as a suspect from around noon until 11:35 p.m. on the 2nd over allegations including obstruction of business through deceptive means.
After completing the lengthy questioning, Chung left the police building looking tired and gave short, firm answers to the reporters’ barrage of questions. Asked whether he had not interfered in Hong’s appointment process, he replied, “Yes,” reiterating his denial of the allegations. He also firmly denied speculation that he had deliberately changed his mobile phone to evade the investigation, saying, “I have never done that.” Chung maintained the same unwavering stance earlier that day when he was asked whether he had improperly intervened, responding, “Not at all.”
The questioning followed a complaint filed by the Committee for the Protection of Ordinary People’s Livelihood, which accused Chung of coercion, intimidation, obstruction of business and occupational breach of trust. Police reportedly focused on whether Chung had used his superior position as association president to obstruct the board’s inherent authority to give final approval for the coach’s appointment, and whether he had exerted overt pressure on internal executives, including former technical director Lee Lim-saeng.
This was the first direct questioning of Chung, regarded as the central figure in the case, since the investigation was abruptly transferred from Jongno Police Station to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on July 1. Jongno Police Station had received eight related complaints beginning in July 2024 but took no significant action for roughly two years. However, the case was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit, which has the highest level of investigative resources, after public sentiment worsened and President Lee Jae Myung made forceful remarks criticizing “personnel failures” following the recent World Cup debacle.
After taking over the case, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency accelerated the investigation by conducting raids and searches at the Korea Football Association and other locations on the 6th of last month. It subsequently summoned several former members of the Strengthening Committee and board directors, and questioned former full-time vice president Kim Jeong-bae on the 26th of last month.
Meanwhile, Hong Myung-bo, who was questioned as a suspect first on the 4th of last month, also clearly denied allegations of intervention by senior officials, stating that he had never contacted Chung separately during his appointment process.

With police having largely completed questioning those involved, attention in the football community is focused on what conclusion will be reached in the two-year investigation into the “coach appointment controversy.”

[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter