A member of the National Assembly was referred to as "over there," with hands in pockets, by Moon Jin-hee Shim Pan-wi (Director)... Facing decisive evidence, he evaded with "I don't know."

*This content was translated by AI.

"No, I was just someone who stayed at home and did nothing."

Moon Jin-hee of the Korea Football Association Shim Pan-wi (Director) replied irritably. This occurred during a hearing on the Korea Football Association held at the National Assembly on the 30th. When Cho Eun-hee (People Power Party), a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, repeatedly asked about Moon Jin-hui (Chairman)'s identity during the election period for the 55th president of the Korea Football Association last year, Moon (Chairman) firmly stated, "I did nothing," and "I was just staying at home."

The background behind Jo Eun-hui (Rep.)'s questioning toward him was suspicion that he had engaged in illegal election campaigning without proper qualifications to ensure the election of then-candidate Jeong Mong-gyu during last year's presidential election of the Korea Football Association. He was also summoned as a witness to today's hearing for the same reason. However, from the beginning of the hearing, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman)'s attitude went beyond being straightforward or confident; it was closer to arrogance.

In fact, the allegation of illegal election campaigning was not baseless. According to KBS, during the presidential election period, a referee evaluator met with referees who had voting rights. In this process, circumstances emerged suggesting that vote-buying attempts were made in exchange for referee promotions and favorable game assignments, urging support for candidate Jeong Mong-gyu. It is reported that Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) was present at this meeting and supported the candidate. This information was revealed through a tip-off and accompanying recordings.

According to the Korea Football Association's election management regulations, election campaigning is permitted only for candidates and their campaign staff. The voter list is also restricted to candidates and campaign workers; others cannot access it. Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) was seated among only 15 referee voters selected nationwide from across the country. Recordings were released that could be interpreted as if he had met all 15 referee voters. The suspicion that he engaged in election campaigning without proper qualifications to ensure Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)'s election was sufficiently persuasive.

However, when questioned about related matters, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) appeared unbothered. In response to Jo Eun-hui (Rep.)'s question, "Did you illegally obtain the voter list and conduct election campaigning?" he replied, "I did not do such a thing." Even when urged to answer firmly, he insisted, "I am answering firmly." He also countered questions about obtaining the voter list by asking, "How could someone who was just staying at home possibly obtain it?" There were instances where he interrupted the lawmakers' questions while responding.

Moreover, in the process of responding to a question from Rebuilding Korea Party Kim Jae-won (Rep.), he eventually faced severe criticism regarding his attitude. When addressing Kim (Rep.)'s points about so-called referee cartels related to game assignments and evaluations, remarks were made such as "Sit up straight. Answer politely. This is the National Assembly. We operate under the people's rules."

However, continuing from the attitude displayed throughout the hearing that day, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) did not back down. Responding to Kim Jae-won (Rep.), he said, "Are you allowed to speak while I am not? Please lower your voice." When critical shouts came from the Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers' side, he told one National Assembly member, "Don't get involved over there (National Assembly member). Just... since morning." Eventually, questioning was halted, and Lee Jae-jung Moon Che-wi (Director) intervened.

Lee Jae-jeong (Chairman) stated, "I wanted to point out a few times regarding the witness's (Moon Jin-hee) attitude. This is not a place where witnesses come to say whatever they want. I told you that committee members decide on the questioning style according to the newspaper's purpose and intent. It is not about respecting each National Assembly member one by one. However, many citizens are watching this session. Regardless of how they think, (National Assembly members) are representatives of the people," he sharply remarked.

Afterward, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman)'s attitude, which had been close to arrogance, began to subside when evidence supporting allegations of illegal election campaigning for candidate Jeong Mong-gyu's election was repeatedly presented. Democratic Party of Korea Choi Min-hui (Rep.) released a pre-hearing questionnaire and response regarding whether he had met with referee voters. At that time, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) replied, "I did not meet with the candidate Jeong Mong-gyu solely for the purpose of election support."

The key lay in the phrase "solely for the purpose." This expression could only be interpreted as meaning that the purpose of supporting the candidate was indeed included in the background of Moon Jin-hui (Chairman)'s meeting with referee voters. Under intense questioning from Choi (Rep.) regarding this matter, Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) attempted to wrap up the situation with a bewildered response, saying, "It seems I wrote it incorrectly."

However, after this, as conversations between Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) and referee evaluators were made public, he was pushed further into a corner. When asked about who "the person we served" referred to in the evaluator's remark, "I am the same, and so is the chairman; it was someone we served," Moon Jin-hui (Chairman) consistently remained silent. Moon Jin-hui (Chairman)'s attitude, which had even drawn public criticism, changed when faced with decisive evidence.

In any case, on this day, Moon Jin-hee Shim Pan-wi (Director) drew a line regarding allegations that he engaged in illegal election campaigning to ensure the election of then-candidate Jeong Mong-gyu during the presidential election. Coincidentally, the process by which he, who claimed "I did nothing" and "I was just staying at home," was appointed to the important position of "Korea Football Association Shim Pan-wi (Director)" immediately after Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)'s election remains even more mysterious.

As suspicions grow deeper, it is a serious issue if Shim Pan-wi (Director)'s appointment was indeed a "reward" for helping secure votes from referees with voting rights for then-candidate Jeong Mong-gyu. If not, we must examine the procedures and processes by which someone who claimed to be "just staying at home" came to hold such an important role overseeing all domestic football referee affairs.

Jo Eun-hui (Rep.) requested Lee Yong-soo, acting president of the Korea Football Association, to investigate this incident and impose disciplinary action if necessary. Lee Yong-soo promised an internal investigation. People Power Party Kim Seung-su (Rep.) also asked Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young to "clearly investigate the facts through auditors and take legal action if illegal activities are confirmed." Choi (Minister) replied, "We are preparing an audit based on information received from the reporting center," adding, "I will include the points you mentioned in the audit."

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*This content was translated by AI.