"The club's future must not disappear": Gimpo FC Supporters' Official Statement Released

*This content was translated by AI.

In response to an embezzlement case involving over 8 billion won at Gimpo FC in K League 2 professional soccer, the club's supporters have demanded the club's continued existence and responsible normalization. While emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation of facts and clear accountability, they stressed that the situation must not escalate to threaten the club's very survival.

The Golden Crew released a statement on the 9th, stating, "We are facing one of the most serious crises since the club was founded as a civic team in 2013." They added, "The recent large-scale embezzlement case is not only causing massive financial losses but also raises serious questions about whether Gimpo FC's accounting, internal controls, and management oversight systems have functioned properly."

They further stated, "Above all, we must seriously acknowledge that the trust of citizens and fans who have believed in and supported Gimpo FC has been severely damaged." They continued, "As discussions continue regarding the club's future operational direction and normalization plans, and as an audit is underway, the Golden Crew believes that a thorough investigation of facts and clear accountability must take absolute priority in addressing this incident."

The supporters' group added, "For confirmed wrongdoing, corresponding responsibility and measures must follow. Recovery of lost funds and institutional improvements should also be actively pursued. However, such responsibility and burden must not be unilaterally imposed on players and staff who have no direct connection to the embezzlement, nor should it ultimately threaten the very existence of Gimpo FC. While accountability for wrongdoing must be clearly established, the future of Gimpo FC must not disappear because of these mistakes."

The supporters' group demanded that "the city of Gimpo, the club, and other relevant institutional investors take responsible action to ensure Gimpo FC continues as a professional soccer team and maintains its status as a professional club along with its club license." They further stated, "Normalization efforts must not merely address the current crisis. To prevent similar issues from recurring, substantive changes and institutional improvements must follow."

The Golden Crew highlighted the following key points that must be reviewed and implemented during the normalization process: ▲Establishment of a financially sound and transparent accounting system; ▲Full recovery of unrecovered losses; ▲Personnel actions based on accountability and establishment of fair and transparent personnel procedures; ▲Comprehensive improvement of internal controls and management oversight systems, along with effective measures to prevent recurrence; ▲Presentation of Gimpo FC's mid-to-long-term operational direction and a sustainable normalization plan; ▲Prevention of unfair loss transfer to players and staff, and maintenance of the club's professional status and club license.

The supporters' group stated, "What the Golden Crew seeks is not a return to the past as if nothing had happened. We seek a thorough revelation of the facts behind this incident, clear accountability for those responsible, and the rebuilding of Gimpo FC as a more transparent, healthy, and trusted civic club based on that process." They added, "Those who are responsible must take responsibility, and what needs to be protected in Gimpo FC must be protected. We hope this crisis does not mark the end of Gimpo FC but becomes an opportunity to correct mistakes and restart as a healthier club."

Earlier, during a special audit in July, it was revealed that employee A, who managed financial accounts, embezzled over 5.8 billion won from public funds in the current year alone, sparking widespread concern. The employee is also believed to have embezzled 180 million won in 2023 and between 2.3 billion and 2.4 billion won in 2025, bringing the total cumulative embezzlement amount to over 8 billion won. It was reported that A used the stolen funds to purchase real estate in Japan and acquire three foreign-made vehicles. The only year with no detected embezzlement was 2024, as A was not involved in relevant duties at that time. While police investigations and a special audit by Gimpo City are ongoing, the Korea Professional Football League has recently decided to dispatch a support team led by An Chi-jun, head of the League Operations Department, with lawyer Yeom Seong-joon (head of the Legal Team) and accountant Ahn Jung-hyeok (professional in the Club Licensing Team).

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*This content was translated by AI.