With Jeong Mong-gyu and Hong Myung-bo both appearing, why is 'one person' absent? 'Escape-style overseas employment' Lee Im-saeng controversy finally becomes reality

*This content was translated by AI.

The concerns have become reality. Lee Im-saeng, former Technical Director of the KFA who played a key role in appointing Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the South Korean national football team, will not attend the KFA hearing due to his residence abroad. The so-called controversy over "escape-style employment" also has effectively become reality after he unexpectedly took up the position of Technical Director for a Cambodian professional team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and the Caribbean.

According to the football community on the 29th, Lee Im-saeng submitted a letter explaining his absence to the National Assembly ahead of the KFA hearing scheduled for the 30th. The reason cited is "overseas employment." Lee resigned from his position as Technical Director and left Korea after suddenly accepting the role of Technical Director at Nagaworld FC in Cambodia on the 7th, amid intense public criticism following the failure of Hong Myung-bo's team at the North American World Cup.

Suspicion arose that this was an escape abroad. Coincidentally, news emerged shortly after the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee announced plans to hold a hearing on the KFA on the 2nd, that Lee Im-saeng had unexpectedly taken up the position of Technical Director for a league and club unfamiliar to many. Two days after the announcement of Lee's appointment as Technical Director, it was confirmed that the KFA hearing would be held, and Lee was selected as a witness. The core issue of the newspaper reports centered on the circumstances and legality of the full authority delegated to him during the process of appointing Hong Myung-bo as head coach.

Subsequently, Park Hang-seo, former Vice President of the KFA who accompanied the team as a support leader for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, announced he would not attend the hearing due to "overseas employment." Although Park was also selected as a witness, his appointment as head coach of Power FC in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, had already been confirmed prior to the World Cup. After completing the tournament, he resigned from his vice presidency and headed to Thailand, submitting a letter explaining his absence from the hearing. Concerns were raised that Lee Im-saeng would similarly fail to attend the hearing for the same reason as former Vice President Park Hang-seo.

Lee Im-saeng was a key figure who played a central role in the appointment process of Coach Hong Myung-bo, even conducting direct briefings after his appointment. It was also Lee Im-saeng who took steps to enable Coach Hong to receive a substantial salary comparable to that of foreign coaches. The hearing from which he is absent has consequently lost much of its significance. Ultimately, the concerns have become reality: Lee Im-saeng avoided the hearing itself on the grounds of "overseas employment." Although his legal representative expressed willingness to appear on his behalf, it was reported that the National Assembly did not accept this arrangement.

He also missed the "last opportunity" to take responsibility for this incident as a football professional. Having played a key role in appointing Coach Hong Myung-bo and given that Hong's team ultimately failed, Lee Im-saeng should have clearly explained the entire process of the coach appointment and offered repeated apologies. This would have been the only way for former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng to bear at least some responsibility, ensuring that no future national team head coach is appointed through the same methods and processes.

However, Lee Im-saeng has now used his newly acquired job at an overseas club as an excuse to notify the KFA of his absence from the hearing where he played a pivotal role. Strictly speaking, the position of Technical Director does not necessarily require physical presence at the location, nor is it a role involving long-distance travel that would demand significant time. Thus, he cannot escape criticism for evading responsibility on his own part. His name will inevitably be recorded in Korean football history in this manner.

It was reported that former President Jeong Mong-gyu and former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo were both scheduled to attend the hearing today. The KFA has also stated its policy of cooperating with the hearing to the fullest extent possible for current officeholders only. However, Park Ji-sung, Chair of the K-Football Innovation Committee, and Lee Young-pyo, a member of the committee, are among many witnesses expected not to appear. Similarly, three regional football association presidents, including Seo Gang-il, President of the Jeonbuk Football Association, will also be absent. Unlike witnesses, references have no obligation to appear.

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*This content was translated by AI.