*This content was translated by AI.
Kim Jeong-bae, former KFA full-time vice president and the person who was revealed by Lee Im-saeng to have received "specific work instructions" during the selection process of Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the national football team, has reportedly been summoned for police investigation.
According to Seoul National Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division's Financial Crime Investigation Team on the 26th, Kim was interrogated today regarding the selection process of former coach Hong Myung-bo and other related matters. However, the police did not disclose Kim's status during the investigation.
Kim Jeong-bae, a former vice minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was the only full-time vice president among KFA officials when Hong Myung-bo was appointed as head coach of the national team in 2024, overseeing actual operations. He was also the individual accused of improperly intervening in the selection process of former coach Hong Myung-bo.
Recently, Lee Im-saeng, who played a key role in the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo at that time, revealed that he received specific work instructions related to Hong's appointment.
Earlier, Lee's side stated, "After meeting with three final candidates including Hong Myung-bo and conveying Hong's acceptance intention to Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman), we were told on the spot by (Jeong (Chairman)), 'Then let's appoint Coach Hong Myung-bo.' After that, there were specific work instructions from Vice President Kim Jeong-bae (announcement of the appointment through the public relations office, contract with Coach Hong handled by the contract officer, and report writing by Director Lee Im-saeng)."
The fact that Kim Jeong-bae played a central role in the selection process of coach Hong Myung-bo has already been revealed through the Korea Football Association labor union and others.
The KFA labor union stated in an October 2024 press release: "(Hong Myung-bo's appointment) was technically led by Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, but Vice President Kim Jeong-bae was ultimately responsible for detailed contract terms." It further criticized that "immediately after Jeong Hae-seong (Chairman) resigned following the tenth Power Strengthening Committee meeting, it is known that Vice President Kim Jeong-bae pushed Lee Im-saeng by saying 'Technical Director Lee has negotiation authority.' Also, the person who ignored Jeong (Chairman)'s instruction to reconstitute the Power Strengthening Committee and insisted on proceeding without issues is also known to be him."
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism concluded that "disciplinary action beyond suspension is necessary" after auditing the KFA, identifying Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman), Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, and Vice President Kim Jeong-bae as the targets. This is the background for why police investigating Hong Myung-bo's appointment have now summoned former vice president Kim Jeong-bae following investigations of former coach Hong Myung-bo and former director Lee Im-saeng.
As a result, it appears that Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) is now the only remaining target of police investigation. Police who have already completed searches and seizures at the KFA are investigating whether Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman) and others improperly intervened in Hong Myung-bo's appointment. In addition to Lee Im-saeng's revelation that he heard "Then let's appoint Coach Hong Myung-bo" from Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman), police have completed investigations of key figures at the time, including former director Lee. They are expected to soon summon Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) as a suspect for further questioning.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
