Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Special audit of the Korea Football Association will be conducted, and those responsible for irregularities will be held strictly accountable."

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Hui-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced, "To identify the root causes of our nation's football's disastrous failure and to clarify public suspicions and ascertain the exact truth, we will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association."

On the 29th, Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) stated via social media (SNS), "We will also establish an investigation committee including external experts to uncover the causes of the incompetence, negligence, and complacency shown by the Korea Football Association thus far. If any irregularities, misconduct, or illegal acts are found during this process, we will hold those responsible strictly accountable accordingly."

Previously, following the failure of the South Korean national football team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America, and the Caribbean (32 teams), Choi (Minister) remarked, "It is time to organize the numerous discussions we have had for a long time, determine where things began to go wrong, identify the root causes that held us back, and create fundamental alternatives."

Subsequently, in response to President Lee Jae-myung's directive to "carefully monitor the accurate situation of this incident, analyze the causes, and ensure measures for prevention and improvement," Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) replied via SNS, "We will swiftly and decisively push for a comprehensive overhaul of all football administration with the resolve to cut our bones." The announcement of the special audit and the formation of an investigation committee mentioned that day are interpreted as part of this initiative.

Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) explained, "Based on the investigation results, we will publish a white paper and transparently disclose it to the public, making it a painful lesson to prevent such incidents from happening again, and to serve as a stepping stone for our football to move forward into the future. To assist in the thorough execution of the special audit and investigation activities, we will open a 'reporting window' to collect various suspicions and voices raised by the public."

He added, "We have heard concerns from some quarters that the election of the new president of the Korea Football Association must follow the existing bylaws and proceed in the same manner as before. However, if we understand the earnest wishes of the entire nation, which is left in a state of desolation, we cannot do so. If we look for a way, we will find one. We will seek the wisdom and sound judgment of the football community."

The following is the full text of Minister Choi Hui-young's SNS post regarding the Korea Football Association.

To identify the root causes of our nation's football's disastrous failure, clarify public suspicions, and ascertain the exact truth, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association.

Furthermore, we will establish an investigation committee including external experts to uncover the causes of the incompetence, negligence, and complacency shown by the Korea Football Association thus far. If any irregularities, misconduct, or illegal acts are found during this process, we will hold those responsible strictly accountable accordingly.

In addition, based on the investigation results, we will publish a white paper and transparently disclose it to the public, making it a painful lesson to prevent such incidents from happening again, and to serve as a stepping stone for our football to move forward into the future.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will open a 'reporting window' to assist in the thorough execution of the special audit and investigation activities, collecting various suspicions and voices raised by the public.

Moreover, we have heard concerns from some quarters that the election of the new president of the Korea Football Association must follow the existing bylaws and proceed in the same manner as before. However, if we understand the earnest wishes of the entire nation, which is left in a state of desolation, we cannot do so. If we look for a way, we will find one. We will seek the wisdom and sound judgment of the football community.

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*This content was translated by AI.