Controversy over demands for Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan to appear at the Football Association hearing... 'Questions on World Cup match results' proposed by the National Assembly

*This content was translated by AI.

The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee decided to hold a hearing on issues related to the Korea Football Association (KFA) on the 22nd, sparking controversy after selecting Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), who participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as witnesses.

The hearing on the KFA ultimately focuses not on poor World Cup performance or results, but on the backward administration of the association, such as the process of appointing coach Hong Myung-bo. Critics argue that it is inappropriate to demand appearances from players who have no direct connection to the association's administration.

The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held a plenary session on the 9th, adopted a plan for implementing a hearing on issues related to the KFA, and confirmed that the hearing will be held on the 22nd. Lee Jae-jeong (Chairman), a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The National Assembly will examine various problems revealed in the process of appointing the national team coach and the overall operation of the KFA, and seek ways to normalize the association."

The government has already launched the 'K-Football Innovation Committee' under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the National Assembly had previously announced hearings on the KFA. With the confirmation of the hearing schedule through today's meeting, the KFA is now being pushed into an even more difficult position.

Witnesses and reference persons were also selected today. The witnesses consist of 13 current and former officials of the KFA. Selected include President Chung Mong-koo Jeon (Chairman), former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, former technical director Lee Im-saeng, current vice presidents Lee Yong-soo and Kim Byung-ji, former executive vice president Kim Jeong-bae, former vice presidents Choi Young-il and Park Hang-seo, former national team player Jung Hae-sung Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman), current managing director Kim Seung-hee, former national team coach Kim Jin-gyu, and KFA manager Jeon Han-jin.

The National Assembly plans to question President Chung Mong-koo Jeon (Chairman) today regarding the operation of the KFA and the appointment of the national team coach, including the appropriateness of his resignation background and timing. The main lines of questioning for Coach Hong Myung-bo include the legitimacy of the appointment process, the causes of poor World Cup performance and responsibility for match management, and the circumstances of his early return to the U.S. after returning home.

Additionally, former director Lee Im-saeng and former executive vice president Kim Jeong-bae are expected to appear regarding controversies over fairness that arose during Coach Hong's appointment. Vice President Kim Byung-ji will be questioned not only on the operational status of the KFA but also on his recent controversial remarks on football tax economics, while coach Kim Jin-gyu will be asked about Coach Hong's authoritarian and self-willed team management. Witnesses must appear at the hearing unless they submit a non-appearance statement with valid reasons.

However, what draws more attention than the witnesses is the 'list of reference persons.' Park Ji-sung, a FIFA committee member who serves as the K-Football Innovation Committee Gong Dong-wi (Director), and Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Olympic Committee, along with innovation committee members Park Ju-ho, former KFA strength enhancement committee chairman, and Lee Young-pyo, former national team player, may have significance in appearing as reference persons from the innovation committee's perspective. Indeed, the main lines of questioning are also 'discussions on reform proposals at the innovation committee level.'

The problem is that current national team players Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan were also included in the list of reference persons. This selection was made at the request of Lim O-gyeong (Rep.), a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. The main lines of questioning are 'World Cup match results and issues related to the national team.' While the specific questions remain unknown, it is not a topic where meaningful questions and answers would revolve around the essence of this incident, such as KFA administration or systems. This is also why there is strong criticism against summoning players to a hearing on the KFA, particularly regarding the appointment process of the national team coach and overall administration.

Fortunately, reference persons are not obligated to appear, and their appearance is practically difficult at this time. Son Heung-min has MLS matches scheduled for his club LAFC around the time of the hearing. Unless Son Heung-min himself expresses a strong willingness to appear and does not seek leave from his team, appearing due to scheduling conflicts would be impossible. Although his plans for the new season remain uncertain, Hwang Hee-chan's club Wolverhampton has already begun its pre-season. A pre-season match is scheduled for the 22nd local time.

In conclusion, under various circumstances, it is unlikely that players will appear at the hearing, and practically, their appearance itself is difficult. Even if they did appear, there was a high probability that questions and answers would be far removed from the essence of this hearing. This is the background for the growing criticism directed at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee simply due to the demand for players like Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan to appear. Amidst this, Coach Hong Myung-bo, selected as a witness, issued a statement today directly expressing his intention to appear at the hearing. Currently staying in Los Angeles, U.S., Coach Hong stated, "I will bear the responsibility I must shoulder entirely on my own. I will tell the truth about what I know before the people without hiding anything, and I will not avoid any questions."

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*This content was translated by AI.