'Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) Dismissal Lawsuit → Lost': Football Association Decides to Appeal, "We Feel Deep Responsibility to Football Fans' Demands..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Football Association has decided to file an appeal against the first-instance ruling in an administrative lawsuit based on the results of a special audit conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This decision comes approximately two weeks after a court ruled that the Ministry's disciplinary demands against Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) were lawful.

On the 6th, the KFA held its fourth board meeting for 2026 at the Seoul Jongno-gu Football Association Hall and resolved to appeal the first-instance administrative lawsuit ruling announced on the 23rd of last month.

Previously, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled on the 23rd that in the lawsuit filed by the KFA against the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "the Ministry's audit scope and disciplinary demands were lawful," resulting in a verdict against the plaintiff.

At that time, the court panel determined that all major issues pointed out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including violations of the procedure for appointing the national team coach and improper handling of pardons for football personnel, constituted valid grounds for disciplinary action.

Consequently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent an official letter to the KFA on the 30th, urging the implementation of disciplinary measures against Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) and related executives and staff, thereby escalating its pressure.

However, the KFA board of directors determined that it was necessary to seek a further judgment from a higher court on the aspects of factual investigation and legal interpretation.

During the discussion of this agenda, Lee Yong-soo, the Vice President who led the board meeting on behalf of Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman), who was absent as an interested party, stated through the association: "We take the court's first-instance ruling seriously and feel a deep sense of responsibility to respond to the severe demands of football fans." He added, "This appeal is not an attempt to use the World Cup as a shield or to drag out time. It is a painstaking decision made to seek additional judgment within the framework of legal procedures."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism clearly stated that "the KFA must take this ruling seriously and initiate its own innovation," and that it would closely monitor the implementation process of future measures. As the KFA continues its legal response despite pressure from the Ministry, this matter is expected to be prolonged.

The origin of this lawsuit was a special audit conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in July 2024. At that time, the Ministry announced that it confirmed Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) had intervened without authority or violated regulations during the appointment process of Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) and head coach Hong Myung-bo. Additionally, the Ministry identified a total of 27 illegal and improper matters, including improper handling of the construction project for the Korea National Football Center and the improper handling of pardons for football personnel related to match-fixing. In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has pressured the KFA by demanding severe disciplinary actions, such as suspension of qualifications or higher, against Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman), then Executive Vice President Kim Jeong-bae, and then Technical Director Lee Im-saeng.

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*This content was translated by AI.