'Suspect Status' Jeong Mong-gyu, Controversy Over Hong Myung-bo's Appointment: Appears Before Police... "No Unfair Intervention at All"

*This content was translated by AI.

Jeong Mong-gyu (64), former president of the Korea Football Association, is reported to have appeared before police for questioning amid allegations that he unfairly intervened in the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.

According to NEWSIS and others on the 2nd, the Seoul National Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Division has summoned former president Jeong Mong-gyu as a suspect and is investigating him on charges including obstruction of business.

This follows previous investigations into former coach Hong Myung-bo, former Chief Technical Officer Lee Im-saeng, members of the Korea Football Association's Power Strengthening Committee, and board directors, as well as searches and seizures conducted at the Korea Football Association headquarters, marking the start of the investigation into Jeong Mong-gyu.

Police are expected to intensely question Jeong Mong-gyu today regarding whether he unfairly intervened in the recommendation of candidates for the national team coach position by the Korea Football Association and in the final appointment process.

However, during his appearance before police today, Jeong Mong-gyu responded to reporters' questions about reasons for unfair intervention by stating, "I believe there was no unfair intervention at all."

Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, through its 2024 audit of the Korea Football Association, demanded 'severe disciplinary action beyond suspension' against Jeong Mong-gyu, former standing vice president Kim Jung-bae, and former director Lee Im-saeng for allegedly intervening without authority or failing to comply with regulations in the appointment process of former coach Hong Myung-bo.

Lee Im-saeng, who played a key role in Hong Myung-bo's appointment, initially stated, "I led the appointment alone. I will take full responsibility," but recently changed his statement through his legal representative, saying, "When I conveyed Coach Hong's acceptance to Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman), I was told, 'Then let's make it Coach Hong Myung-bo.'"

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*This content was translated by AI.