*This content was translated by AI.
The stance of former KFA Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, who did not appear at last month's KFA hearing, has been revealed for the first time. This comes just one week after the hearing concluded. However, even this was quietly released only through the media. He unilaterally claimed that since there are handwritten records from his interview with former coach Hong Myung-bo, he will correct the factual record based on them.
According to a the 6th report by The Hankyoreh, Lee Im-saeng's legal representative stated, "Contrary to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's understanding revealed in its audit of the KFA, there exist handwritten records created by Director Lee Im-saeng during his interview with Coach Hong Myung-bo." He further announced that he has filed an application for 'intervention in litigation' in the Seoul High Court under Director Lee Im-saeng's name to resolve ongoing lawsuits between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the KFA aimed at correcting previously incorrect facts or rumors.
Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommended disciplinary action against former Chairman Jeong Mong-gyu, former Executive Vice President Kim Jung-bae, and Director Lee Im-saeng to the KFA, citing procedural issues in the appointment process of Coach Hong Myung-bo. The ministry had demanded disqualification or more severe penalties for all three: Mr. Jeong, former Vice President Kim, and Director Lee. Regarding Director Lee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism pointed out that he conducted interviews "in an unfair and opaque manner under the pretext of following the chairman's orders despite having no authority under the regulations."
Meanwhile, Lee Im-saeng's side claims that after completing interviews with the three final candidates, including Coach Hong Myung-bo, they conveyed Coach Hong's acceptance to Mr. Jeong, who then said, "Then let's go with Coach Hong Myung-bo." Later, the announcement of Coach Hong's internal appointment at the public relations level, the progression of his contract, and Director Lee's report writing were all carried out under the work instructions of former Vice President Kim Jung-bae, according to this belated claim by Director Lee's side.
Whether these claims by former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng are true, whether handwritten records he allegedly created actually exist, or whether they are credible will be determined in court. More regrettable than that is the timing and procedure of when his stance was made public. If there were indeed unjust circumstances or if facts had been misunderstood, he could have appeared at last month's KFA hearing to explain directly. His claims would have carried more persuasiveness had he presented them during the nationally watched hearing.
However, former Director Lee Im-saeng chose not to appear at the KFA hearing. While former Chairman Jeong Mong-gyu, former Coach Hong Myung-bo, former Vice President Kim Jung-bae, and others all appeared, only the former director was absent. His reason for non-appearance was overseas employment. The official appointment as Technical Director of Cambodia's Nagaworld FC was confirmed on the 7th. Coincidentally, just five days after news emerged that the National Assembly's Committee on Culture, Sports and Tourism would hold a hearing on the KFA, the appointment as Technical Director of an unfamiliar league and club was announced. After suspicions arose of him fleeing overseas for employment purposes, the former director indeed did not appear at the actual hearing. Concerns became reality.
According to reports, Lee Im-saeng's side explained that "the final acceptance of Nagaworld FC's offer occurred on June 12, when South Korea defeated Czech Republic." The deliberate addition of dates such as the time of victory against Czech Republic, when the atmosphere surrounding Coach Hong Myung-bo was relatively positive, appears intended to argue that this was unrelated to so-called escape-type employment. However, when exactly Director Lee accepted the offer is entirely irrelevant. The core issue was his 'non-appearance at the hearing.'
The non-appearance of former Director Lee Im-saeng, who played a key role in the appointment process of Coach Hong Myung-bo, was one of the reasons the KFA hearing ended in vain. If former Director Lee truly had nothing to hide, or if he felt even slightly remorseful about the series of events, he should have appeared at the KFA hearing to state his case directly, explain himself, or bow his head. It would have been an opportunity for him to take some responsibility by clearly revealing what was wrongly reported or what was actually wrong.
However, Director Lee Im-saeng rejected that opportunity himself. Only after a week had passed since the hearing concluded did he quietly leak his stance — claiming there were handwritten records, among other things — through media reports. Given various circumstances, it is entirely natural that this resulted in reactions labeling him as 'cowardly.'
Meanwhile, during the hearing, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lee Jae-jeong warned, "The National Assembly's request for appearance is not merely a request from National Assembly members but a 'people's demand' to appear at a public deliberation forum. It is proper to respond sincerely with at least minimal will." He added, "Avoiding this hearing does not free one from responsibility. You may be summoned again in future scheduled national audits and other proceedings."
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*This content was translated by AI.
