'National Assembly warning becomes reality': Lee Im-saeng, who skipped the hearing, 'again' selected as witness for National Audit

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Im-saeng, former Technical Director General of the Korea Football Association (KFA), who played a central role in the appointment of former national team manager Hong Myung-bo but faced criticism for failing to appear at the recent National Assembly hearing, has once again been selected as a witness for the National Audit. The warning issued by Lee Jae-jung, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker and chair of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, who had stated that witnesses and reference persons who did not attend the hearing "could be called to testify again at upcoming National Audits," has also come to fruition.

According to sports industry sources on the 14th, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly that day and selected former director Lee Im-saeng, KFA Acting President Lee Yong-soo, former KFA Executive Vice President Kim Jung-bae, and others as witnesses for the National Audit targeting seven institutional investors, including the Korea Sports and Olympic Committee, scheduled for the 21st. It was also reported that former KFA Shim Pan-wi (Director) Moon Jin-hee, Korea Professional Football League Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, and Yongin FC Technical Director Lee Dong-guk were selected as witnesses.

Former Technical Director General Lee Im-saeng sparked controversy by failing to appear at the National Assembly hearing of the KFA, held immediately after the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup, despite being selected as a witness, citing overseas residence as the reason. At the time, public anger was high as Hong Myung-bo's team failed to advance beyond the group stage, and questions about the responsibility of former director Lee Im-saeng, who was known to have played a leading role in the appointment of manager Hong Myung-bo, arose; however, he ultimately did not show up.

In particular, former director Lee Im-saeng took up the position of Technical Director at Cambodian club Nagaworld FC ahead of the hearing, prompting some to raise suspicions of so-called "overseas flight for employment." Coincidentally, he actually cited overseas residence as the reason for not attending the hearing. Subsequently, former director Lee's side drew a line against the "flight for employment suspicion" by specifically adding that "the time when we finally accepted Nagaworld FC's offer was June 12, the day Korea defeated Czechia," but in the end, there was no change in the fact that his overseas employment was used as the reason for his absence from the hearing.

As a result, criticism poured out against former director Lee Im-saeng and others who were selected as witnesses but failed to appear at the hearing ahead of the time. In addition to former director Lee at that time, former KFA Vice President Park Hang-seo, Jeonbuk Football Association President Seo Gang-il, and nine other reference persons submitted letters explaining their reasons for absence and did not attend. Jo Eun-hui (Rep.) of the People Power Party criticized, "Technical Director Lee Im-saeng led the blind interview process when manager Hong Myung-bo was appointed. Despite having no authority to appoint a manager, he is the party who proceeded with (Hong Myung-bo's) appointment without meeting minutes or other documentation, yet he went overseas and did not return."

In response, Lee Jae-jeong (Chairman) stated, "The National Assembly's request for attendance is not merely a request from National Assembly members, but a demand from the 'people' to come out into the public sphere," adding, "It is proper to respond sincerely and with at least minimal will. Each individual should bear the disappointment of the people for failing to fulfill the social responsibility befitting an issue of great public interest. One cannot be free from responsibility simply by ignoring this hearing seat. They may be discussed again and called to testify at upcoming National Audits," issuing a warning.

The National Assembly's warning at the time ultimately led to the 're-selection' of former Technical Director General Lee Im-saeng as a witness for this National Audit. Although manager Hong Myung-bo has already resigned, there is a high possibility that he will face fierce criticism regarding procedural issues and others. Moreover, while former director Lee Im-saeng had claimed at the time of manager Hong Myung-bo's appointment that "I led it alone," two years later, through his legal representative, he recently changed his statement to the effect that "manager Hong was appointed on Jeong Mong-gyu (Chairman)'s instruction," making it appear that a clear explanation is also needed regarding this matter.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original