*This content was translated by AI.
A comprehensive judicial investigation into the controversy surrounding the fairness of the appointment process for former national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo has finally begun in earnest. Following earlier exposés that had stalled the investigation for a long time, it is now rapidly unfolding as direct summonses and interrogations of key figures commence.
According to reports by NEWS1 and NEWSIS on the 14th, the Seoul National Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Team's Financial Crime Division summoned former Korea Football Association (KFA) Power Strengthening Committee member Park Ju-ho for questioning as a witness on the 9th. Starting at 9 a.m. today, they have also summoned Mr. A, who participated alongside him as a Power Strengthening Committee member at the time, and are conducting rigorous interrogations.
It is reported that during the police investigation, former committee member Park Ju-ho revealed detailed circumstances showing how foreign coaches, including Coach Steve Marsh, were excluded from the final selection process. In this process, it was understood that former coach Park stated he did not receive specific details regarding the final stage where former coach Hong Myung-bo was designated as the candidate. Subsequently, investigators conducted a precise inquiry with Mr. A regarding the specific circumstances under which former coach Hong was included among the final candidates for the head coach position and the substantive meeting contents exchanged within the Power Strengthening Committee at that time.
The Power Strengthening Committee had 11 core members at the time, including former Jeon (Chairman) Jeong Hae-seong, former committee member Park, and Gimpo FC coach Ko Jung-won. The police plan to sequentially investigate all Power Strengthening Committee members to verify whether the process of selecting former coach Hong clearly complied with the KFA's internal bylaws and regulations, or if there were any illegal or opaque points compared to previous coaching appointment processes.
At 10 a.m. that day, an investigation into Kim Soon-hwan, secretary-general of the Citizen Group Minminsaeng Countermeasures Committee, who had filed charges against former President Jeong Mong-gyu Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman), former coach Hong Myung-bo, and former Chief Technical Officer Lee Im-saeng on charges such as coercion, embezzlement, and obstruction of business, was also conducted. Secretary-General Kim pointed out, "It must be made absolutely clear through what process the KFA budget, which utilizes national tax funds, and former coach Hong Myung-bo's salary were determined and paid."
The police plan to sequentially complete general witness investigations involving on-site Power Strengthening Committee members as well as key figures in the KFA Board of Directors, the superior deliberative body. Afterward, they will analyze the obtained testimonies and evidence materials to consider summoning former President Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman), former coach Hong Myung-bo, and former Chief Technical Officer Lee Im-saeng for questioning. Seoul National Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bu emphasized at a briefing, "As this is a case of immense public interest, we will concentrate our investigative capabilities and reach a conclusion promptly."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
