'Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo assassination interview controversy' Seo Gang-il (Chairman), notified of non-appearance at Football Association hearing

*This content was translated by AI.

There was no change of heart. Seo Kang-il, president of the Jeonbuk Football Association who faced fierce criticism for his so-called 'insulting interview' in which he attacked Park Ji-sung, K-football Innovation Committee Chairman, and Lee Young-pyo, a member of the committee, has decided not to appear at the Korea Football Association hearing.

According to the football community on the 27th, Seo Gang-il (Chairman) submitted a statement explaining his non-appearance to the National Assembly today and decided not to attend the Korea Football Association hearing scheduled for the 30th. Seo (Chairman), as a witness rather than a reference person, has no obligation to appear. It was reported that poor health was the reason for his non-appearance at the hearing.

Previously, in an interview with KBS, Seo Gang-il (Chairman) said things like, "What do Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo know about running an innovation committee?" or "Who gives them the right to speak so recklessly? They were national team players as footballers, but how long have they lived their lives, how much law do they know, and what social experience do they have that qualifies them to be innovation committee chairmen?" etc., spewing out what was essentially an 'insulting interview' and placing himself at the center of controversy.

Moreover, Seo (Chairman) stated, "According to the current (Korea Football Association) bylaws, a by-election must be held within 60 days; why try to rewrite the bylaws? If there is no president, administration will be paralyzed. We have to hold the Asian Games and play A-matches; how can we appoint a coach without Ha Neun-de (Chairman)?" He also said, "Everyone makes mistakes except God. I don't think (Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)) deserves criticism to this extent." While others call it '13 years of rule,' he considers it '13 years of sacrifice,' thereby defending Jeong (Chairman).

Subsequently, Seo Gang-il (Chairman) was added as a reference person to the Korea Football Association hearing through a consensus between ruling and opposition parties, drawing attention to whether he would appear. It was also an opportunity for him to confidently present or assert his statements made during the earlier KBS interview at the National Assembly hearing. However, in the end, Seo (Chairman) avoided the situation by submitting a non-appearance statement to the National Assembly.

As a result, all three provincial and metropolitan football association presidents who were added as reference persons for this hearing decided not to appear. Coincidentally, all of them had publicly declared their support for Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) ahead of the 55th election for President of the Korea Football Association last year. Baek Hyun-sik, president of the Busan Football Association, who had previously defended Jeong (Chairman) by saying, "What did Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) do so wrong? We should also look at his efforts to develop football over the past 13 years," notified his non-appearance citing volunteer work caring for over 200 stray animals. Park Sung-wan, president of Chungcheongbuk-do Football Association who had advocated for innovation based on existing bylaws rather than amendments, also notified his non-appearance due to personal schedules.

Meanwhile, 15 people, including former national team coach Hong Myung-bo and former President Jeon (Chairman) Chung Mong-koo, were selected as witnesses for the Korea Football Association hearing. Former coach Hong Myung-bo, who had departed for the United States, recently returned to the country and is preparing to appear at the hearing, while former Vice President Park Hang-seo and head of the North America World Cup Support Team submitted a non-appearance statement citing overseas residence as the reason. The attendance of other witnesses such as former President Han Chuk-gu-hyeop (Chairman) Chung Mong-koo and former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng remains undecided. It was also reported that Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo, Park Ju-ho, and others who were added as reference persons in addition to the three provincial and metropolitan presidents had notified their non-appearance at the hearing. Witnesses are obligated to appear and face penalties if they do not, but reference persons have no such obligation.

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*This content was translated by AI.