*This content was translated by AI.
Following confirmation that a staff member of the K League 2 club Gimpo FC embezzled over 5.8 billion won in public funds, sparking widespread outrage, the Gimpo FC supporters group stated, "We cannot contain our despair and anger," adding, "We will closely monitor the investigation and follow-up measures regarding this matter until the very end."
The Golden Crew, a subgroup of Gimpo FC supporters, released a statement on the 14th, emphasizing, "As a civic club operated with taxpayers' money and community support, Gimpo FC is required to maintain a higher level of transparency and accountability than any other organization."
They continued, "Despite this, we cannot contain our despair and anger upon learning that over 5.8 billion won was embezzled and that police investigations and audits are underway. This embezzlement goes beyond financial loss; it is a serious matter that uproots the trust and affection citizens and fans have placed in the club, severely undermining the very foundation of a civic club."
The Golden Crew demanded, "Through thorough and fair investigation by law enforcement authorities, the full scope of this suspicion must be clearly revealed. Regarding those found responsible for illegal acts or lapses in management and supervision, regardless of their position or title, they must be held strictly accountable. Concrete measures must also be prepared to recover funds and restore the club's financial stability."
They further stated, "Gimpo City and Gimpo FC must transparently disclose to citizens and fans the circumstances surrounding this incident and the issues within their management and supervision systems. Progress of investigations and audits, as well as follow-up measures, should be continuously shared to the extent possible." They added, "Effective measures to prevent recurrence must also be established, including strengthening accounting audits, establishing an independent inspection system, reinforcing internal controls, and improving expected execution procedures."
The Golden Crew emphasized, "This incident must not be dismissed with formal apologies or one-time countermeasures. Clear investigation results, responsible follow-up actions, and substantive prevention measures that citizens and fans can accept must be presented. Until the club regains the trust of citizens and fans and stands again as a transparently operated civic club, we will continuously demand clear and responsible responses."
Earlier, Lee Ki-hyeong, Gimpo mayor and owner of Gimpo FC, held an emergency press conference on this day, stating, "It has been confirmed that since January, an incident involving the embezzlement of over 5.8 billion won in public funds by internal staff at Gimpo FC occurred. This is a very heavy and despairing situation. As the mayor responsible for Gimpo City's administration, I deeply regret and feel heavy responsibility for the serious corruption that occurred within the institutional investor funded and supported by citizens' tax money, and I sincerely apologize."
According to Gimpo City, the club reported the matter to the police after confirming the facts the previous day and also notified Gimpo City. Gimpo City decided to recover the embezzled public funds without fail, thoroughly hold relevant parties accountable under both civil and criminal law, and conduct a special audit on all funded and supported institutional investors, including Gimpo FC. This incident involves corruption that occurred during the eighth elected term but was revealed shortly after the ninth elected term began. The Korea Professional Football League is also understood to be aware of this situation regarding Gimpo FC and is closely monitoring it.
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*This content was translated by AI.
