'Non-detained transfer' former Korea Football Association President Jeong Mong-gyu: "I will reveal the truth; I am deeply sorry for causing concern"... Former coach Hong Myung-bo receives 'no transfer' decision

*This content was translated by AI.

Jeong Mong-gyu, former President of the Korea Football Association, and other key executives at the association at the time, who are suspected of improperly intervening in the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, were ultimately transferred to the Prosecution Service. Immediately after the police decision to transfer them, Jeong Jeon (Chairman) denied all allegations and expressed deep regret, while the Korea Football Association also bowed its head.

Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) issued an official statement immediately following the police transfer decision on the 22nd, saying, "I am deeply sorry to the people of Korea and football fans for causing concern," but also "The investigation process will thoroughly explain that the appointment of the national team coach was conducted through normal procedures and legally. There was no reason to deceive the board of directors, nor was there any fact of deception." He completely refuted the allegations.

He continued, "I express deep regret over the police decision to transfer this case. In future investigative processes by the Prosecution Service and others, I will diligently provide evidence to resolve misunderstandings and reveal the truth."

The Korea Football Association also released an official statement. The association said, "We sincerely apologize to the people of Korea and football fans for legal issues arising from the appointment of the national team coach," and added, "The Korea Football Association expects that a clearer truth will be revealed during the additional investigation by the Prosecution Service. Going forward, we will operate the appointment processes for coaches at all levels more transparently and fairly."

Earlier, according to the football community, the Seoul National Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division's Financial Crime Investigation Unit announced on the 22nd that it had non-detained transferred three individuals—Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman), former Korea Football Association Technical Director Lee Im-saeng, and former KFA Executive Vice President Kim Jeong-bae—to Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges including obstruction of business by deception. In contrast, former coach Hong Myung-bo, for whom no evidence of direct intervention in the appointment process was found, received a decision not to transfer him.

According to police, Jeong Jeon (Chairman) and others are suspected of improperly intervening in the independent work of the National Team Performance Strengthening Committee during the national team coach appointment process and then fabricating false information in the Korea Football Association board meeting agenda materials to conceal these procedural flaws.

It was investigated that the association's leadership at the time, aware of the controversy over fairness that arose during the Lee Jeon (CEO) team coach appointment process, attempted to create an appearance of having gone through proper administrative procedures. In particular, the board meeting agenda materials falsely contained content stating that former Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman) Jeong Hae-seong had resigned and requested the association to proceed with the follow-up coach appointment work. However, police investigation revealed that Jeong Jeon (Chairman) had only resigned and had never delegated or requested the association to handle the coach appointment duties.

Police determined that without such false materials, the board of directors would not have approved the appointment proposal for former coach Hong as originally drafted. A police official explained, "If it had been explicitly stated that no procedures were followed, the board would not have voted," and added, "The act of deceiving the board with fabricated documents to secure a vote was viewed as obstruction of business by deception." Kim, who was initially investigated as a witness, was also transferred along with Jeong after being converted to a suspect due to confirmed involvement in the fabrication and distribution of false agenda materials.

This investigation is significant because it uncovered criminal illegal acts beyond the audit results of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. A police official stated, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism audit mainly pointed out procedural issues, but the police investigation newly proved the allegation that false documents were created to conceal these procedural flaws, distributed to the board of directors holding final decision-making authority, and manipulated the vote."

Police have investigated over 60 relevant officials, including members of the Performance Strengthening Committee, and conducted searches and seizures at the Korea Football Association headquarters offices, securing meeting minutes, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism audit materials, and electronic information from Daejeon to analyze. During the investigation, facts such as Jeong Jeon (Chairman)'s replacement of electronic information from Daejeon and former director Lee's departure from the country were revealed; however, considering that they diligently responded to attendance requests and there was no concern of flight, police transferred them without securing their custody in accordance with the principle of non-detained investigation. However, the act itself of former director Lee visiting former coach Hong for individual interviews and preparing result sheets was not included in the obstruction of business allegations.

Meanwhile, the allegation of breach of trust in the course of duty surrounding former coach Hong's salary contract was decided not to transfer. Police determined that it is difficult to conclude that the Korea Football Association suffered clear financial damage and that intent has not been proven. Additionally, all other filed cases, including suspicions of excessive salary payments to specific coaches such as former coach Jürgen Klinsman and defamation related to clashes between national team players during the Qatar Asian Cup, were also decided not to transfer due to insufficient evidence and lack of legal constituent elements.

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*This content was translated by AI.