Was there no intervention by Senior Reporter Hong Myung-bo? Jeong Mong-gyu: "Yes" — Completely denies all allegations, subjected to police interrogation for a full 11 hours and 30 minutes... Also denies suspicion of replacing his mobile phone: "That never happened."

*This content was translated by AI.

Former Chief Correspondent Jeong Mong-gyu (64) underwent police interrogation for approximately 12 hours regarding allegations that he improperly intervened in the process of appointing former national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo (57).

The Seoul National Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Team's Financial Crime Investigation Division summoned Jeong Jeon (Chairman), suspected of offenses including obstruction of business, as a suspect for interrogation from around noon until 11:35 p.m. on the 2nd.

According to NEWSIS, after finishing his interrogation, Jeong Jeon (Chairman) told reporters, "I diligently cooperated with the investigation," and denied all allegations regarding intervention in the coach appointment and suspicions of replacing his phone for the purpose of evading the investigation. However, he did not respond to statements by former Chief Technology Officer Lee Im-saeng that he had received specific work instructions.

Currently, police are investigating whether Jeong Jeon (Chairman) used his position to obstruct the board's approval process for appointing a coach, based on a criminal complaint filed by the Citizen Group Minsaeminsaeng Countermeasures Committee. Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also determined through an audit that Jeong Jeon (Chairman) and others had intervened without authority in violation of regulations, and requested severe disciplinary action, including suspension of qualifications or worse.

This complaint case was initially assigned to Jongno Police Station in July 2024 but remained unresolved for about two years. However, following President Lee Jae-myung's criticism of "personnel failure" and public condemnation after South Korea's elimination from the World Cup group stage this year, the case was transferred to Seoul Metropolitan Investigation Team on July 1.

Upon taking over the case, the Seoul Metropolitan Investigation Team conducted searches and seizures at the Korea Football Association and the Football Hall last month to secure evidence. Since then, investigators have accelerated their probe by interrogating numerous members of the Power Strengthening Committee and board directors, as well as summoning former Vice President Kim Jeong-bae for questioning on the 26th of last month.

Former coach Hong, who was also questioned on the 4th of last month, denied the allegations by stating that he had no separate contact with Jeong Jeon (Chairman) during the process of appointing a coach.

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*This content was translated by AI.