"What exactly are you asking Son Heung-min?"... Japanese media also criticized the controversy over the hearing witness nomination

*This content was translated by AI.

Im Oh-kyung, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who attempted to summon Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) from the South Korean national football team as witnesses for a hearing by the Korea Football Association, withdrew the application amid fierce criticism. Japanese media also viewed this critically.

On the 10th, Soccer Digest Web reported that the application was withdrawn after criticism arose questioning whether they intended to summon even Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan to the National Assembly. The outlet highlighted public criticism directed at Lim (Rep.), noting concerns that the move could obscure the true purpose of the hearing.

In particular, Soccer Digest Web pointed out, "Even if Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan are summoned, what exactly would be asked?" It further explained, "A single plan raised within the South Korean football community caused a major stir and was canceled just one day later." The outlet added, "Fierce criticism emerged from the football community and fans regarding the move to summon National Team captain Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan as witnesses for the National Assembly hearing."

Lim (Rep.), a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, announced on his SNS that he was withdrawing his application to call Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan as witnesses in connection with the Korea Football Association's upcoming hearing scheduled for the 22nd.

Previously, Lim (Rep.) had applied to summon Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan as witnesses on the 9th. The reason was that since there were differing perspectives and opinions between coaches and players, he wanted to hear reform directions for the football association from the viewpoint of active players who have experienced overseas stages.

However, criticism poured out immediately after the announcement. Critics argued that the decision failed to consider the situation of active players who need recovery after the World Cup, return to their clubs, and prepare for the new season. Further criticism followed regarding whether it was appropriate to summon active players to a hearing scrutinizing the operation of the Korea Football Association and the process of appointing the national team coach.

Ultimately, Lim (Rep.) withdrew the application just one day later. He explained, "I applied to summon Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan as witnesses because I believed the football association hearing should not become a one-sided affair that only hears one side's story."

He added, "This decision was not intended to burden the players but to create a better hearing for the development of South Korean football." At the same time, he conveyed that he withdrew the application after comprehensively considering the party's opinions and the players' match schedules.

Soccer Digest Web also addressed the background of this controversy. The outlet stated, "South Korea was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and the Caribbean. The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee selected former national team coach Hong Myung-bo and former football association president Chung Mong-koo as witnesses to examine the operation of the football association and the process of appointing the national team coach." It further reported, "However, Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan were included on the list of witnesses. The person who applied to summon these two players as witnesses was Lim (Rep.)."

The outlet also analyzed, "Once this plan became known, criticism poured out from within and outside the football community. In particular, it appears that strong opinions held that summoning players would obscure the essence of the hearing, as the core focus of this session is not merely South Korea's poor performance but rather an examination of the football association's operations, the coach appointment process, and administrative systems."

Criticism was also fierce within the domestic football community. Commentator Park Moon-seong raised his voice on his YouTube channel, saying, "You need to wake up. Who summoned them?" He added, "It is fundamentally impossible for Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan to be selected as witnesses. They were not even consulted beforehand."

Criticism also emerged from the political sphere. Jin Jong-oh, a People Power Party lawmaker and former Olympic gold medalist in shooting, pointed out, "The Democratic Party should not reduce football reform into a political show."

Japanese media had also raised questions when Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan were included on the witness list, stating that summoning active players to a hearing is "quite an unusual occurrence."

In particular, there was significant criticism for failing to consider the players' schedules. Son Heung-min's club in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States resumed its league schedule after completing the World Cup break. His team, LAFC, played a friendly match on the 12th and will face LA Galaxy on the 18th. The match against LA Galaxy is particularly significant as it is a local rivalry game.

Hwang Hee-chan's club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, has also begun preparations for the new season. Wolverhampton, currently preparing for pre-season, will play friendly matches starting from the 23rd. Having suffered relegation last season, Wolverhampton needs to restore its reputation in the upcoming season.

If Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan had been required to attend the hearing, there was a high probability that their club schedules and physical condition management would have been disrupted.

Ultimately, amidst fierce criticism and controversy, Lim (Rep.) withdrew the application to summon Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan as witnesses just one day later.

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*This content was translated by AI.