'Former National Team Coach Seated in Police Station Interrogation Room' Hong Myung-bo, Finally 'Suspect Status': Summoned by Police... First Summons for Allegations of Obstruction of Business and Joint Perpetration

*This content was translated by AI.

Police investigating allegations regarding the appointment of the national team coach by the Korea Football Association have summoned former coach Hong Myung-bo as a suspect.

The Financial Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul National Police Agency summoned former coach Hong on the 4th on charges of obstruction of business and joint perpetration, questioning him regarding the entire process of the coach appointment. This marks the first time police have summoned former coach Hong for investigation.

Former coach Hong had previously testified at a National Assembly hearing, asserting his innocence by stating there was no special treatment in the coach appointment process. At the hearing on issues held by the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee last month on the 30th, he appeared as a witness and stated, "I never asked anyone to appoint me as coach, and I do not believe the appointment process was unfair or involved special treatment."

He further emphasized that he merely accepted the decision of the Power Strengthening Committee and the proposal from the Football Association, with no improper intervention. However, as police have summoned him as a suspect and accelerated the investigation, attention is focused on how judicial judgment will be rendered.

This investigation was initiated following a complaint by a civic group. The Civic Group for People's Livelihood Measures filed a complaint against Chairman Jeong Mong-gyu and former coach Hong, among others, on charges of obstruction of business and embezzlement last month on the 2nd, alleging flaws in the coach appointment process.

Before summoning former coach Hong, police have been conducting investigations with relevant parties in sequence. On the 9th of last month, they summoned commentator Park Ju-ho, who had criticized the unfairness of the appointment process, as a witness, and on the 14th, they summoned the then Power Strengthening Committee member and former vice president of the Football Association.

It is reported that through witness investigations, police focused on determining whether internal regulations were followed, including whether the deliberation results of the Power Strengthening Committee were actually reflected in the final appointment.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.