"What does my child's life have to do with this?" Park Moon-sung breaks silence, issues 'public response' to Kim Byung-ji's allegations

*This content was translated by AI.

Football commentator Park Moon-sung responded publicly to the aggressive open inquiry raised by Kim Byung-ji, CEO of Gangwon FC and vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA). The allegations raised by Kim Byeong-ji (CEO) are either factually incorrect or unrelated to his public activities, and he insists that the issue should not be diverted into a personal dispute. Instead, he maintains that those raising multiple allegations should conduct their own diligent investigations and provide explanations.

Recently returned from vacation, Park Moon-sung addressed the allegations raised by Kim Byeong-ji (CEO) via YouTube and social media on the 31st through his own social media (SNS). The commentator first clarified the factual basis regarding Kim (CEO)'s allegation that he was treated to meals or drinking sessions using a KFA corporate card, stating, "I stopped working as a journalist in 2009, and the issue of improper use of the KFA corporate card emerged in 2016."

Commentator Park Moon-sung added, "There is no truth to claims that I showed interest in or received any proposal for the position of vice president of the Korea Football Association in 2023. I did make a statement on broadcast media suggesting that 'under Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)'s leadership, nothing would change,' in response to some opinions suggesting it might be worthwhile to join the association and attempt reform directly."

Regarding allegations that Park Moon-sung interfered in the selection process for the Soongsil University football coach, he stated, "The coach was appointed through an open recruitment process, including open interviews, open scoring, and open deliberations. I received a proposal from the university to participate as a member of the operations committee, and there was a separate chairperson. I do not understand why performing the coach appointment duties according to proper procedures is considered problematic."

In response to Kim Byeong-ji (CEO)'s allegations concerning Park Moon-sung's child studying in Canada, he said, "I want to ask what connection my child's personal life has with my activities in the public sphere." Previously, commentator Park Moon-sung had exposed that Kim Byeong-ji (CEO) included his own son, who was not affiliated with the club, in a private capacity during Gangwon FC youth players' training program in London, Tottenham. Subsequently, Kim Byeong-ji (CEO) countered by raising allegations regarding the study background of commentator Park Moon-sung's child, sparking controversy.

Commentator Park Moon-sung instead drew a parallel to recent various allegations surrounding Kim Byeong-ji (CEO), asking, "Did I use my position or influence to seek improper benefits for relatives?" He then clarified, "You cannot lump together completely separate issues as if they were one."

Furthermore, the commentator refuted claims by stating, "The gathering on January 31, 2020, was a normal event attended by about ten people." Previously, Kim (CEO) had pointed to that specific date and publicly inquired, "What is the rumor about being at a karaoke room?" Park stated, "My memory aligns with what I confirmed again with everyone who attended at the time. Fortunately, photos and video materials remain."

Commentator Park Moon-sung, who refuted the allegations raised by Kim Byeong-ji (CEO), emphasized, "You can conduct a diligent investigation and provide explanations regarding the allegations raised. Claiming that others have problems does not resolve or eliminate the allegations surrounding Kim (CEO)."

He continued, "If you attempt to dismiss this as merely a personal dispute without addressing the essence of various problems and allegations surrounding the Korea Football Association and Kim Byeong-ji (CEO), it will be difficult to avoid criticism that you are diverting the issue. It is bound to appear as a typical frame shift where instead of addressing the raised allegations, one attacks the person who raised them to cloud the issue."

Commentator Park Moon-sung also stated, "About two years ago, I experienced something similar. I was forced to step down from my commentator role because I criticized the Korea Football Association at the National Assembly. If there is a problem, it should be discussed and debated publicly, and responsibility should be taken for any mistakes. It is regrettable that the same tactics of intimidating and silencing critics seem to be repeating."

He further added, "The attempt to resolve matters in a basic way without even verifying fundamental facts reminds me painfully of an incident during recent National Assembly hearings where Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) sent a separate text message to one of the hearing committee members. We should simply do what is assigned to us. Kim (CEO) should live Kim (CEO)'s life, and I will live my own life. I sincerely wish you well."

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*This content was translated by AI.