"1.5 billion won funding gap, responsibility lies with management": Paju Frontier Manager Hwang Bo-gwan apologizes... Pushing from salary reduction to private acquisition

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Paju Frontier FC officially apologized regarding the issue of player salaries. Hwang Bo-gwan, manager of Paju, explained that a funding gap of approximately 1.5 billion won had occurred and stated that management would take responsibility first.

Manager Hwang Bo-gwan released a statement titled "Regarding the player salary issue and the club's plan for financial normalization" through the club on the 15th.

Hwang bowed his head, saying, "First of all, I sincerely apologize to the players and their families, office staff, Paju citizens, and fans for causing concern over the payment of player salaries."

He continued, "Regardless of the circumstances, a situation where club members must worry about salary payments should not occur," adding, "Creating an environment where players can focus on training and matches, and office staff can perform their duties stably, is the most basic responsibility of the club's management."

It was explained that Paju's current financial problems arose because approximately 1.5 billion won in funding originally planned was not secured.

According to the club, the budget for the 2026 season was compiled based on a total of 9 billion won, consisting of 6 billion won in support from Paju City, 500 million won in support from Gyeonggi Province, a self-generated revenue target of 1 billion won, and a sponsorship target of 1.5 billion won from large local corporations.

At the time, the budget was finalized through board review and resolution on the premise of a verbal promise by the club owner to cover any shortfall if corporate sponsorship did not materialize, and player contracts and season operations were initiated based on this.

However, as neither the originally planned corporate sponsorship nor additional funding to replace it has been secured to date, a funding gap of approximately 1.5 billion won has emerged.

The club explained that adjustments became necessary between the financial support plan at the time of founding and the new administrative system during the process of changing city administration and the club owner, and that the planned funding was not secured in a timely manner as related reviews and consultations dragged on.

Nevertheless, they did not shift responsibility externally. Manager Hwang Bo-gwan acknowledged, "The failure to more clearly document the conditions for covering the shortfall at the city level, the insufficient preparation for the possibility of delays in securing funding, and the lack of a more detailed response plan for emergency situations are the responsibility of the club's management."

Accordingly, they also announced a policy that management would take responsibility first. Manager Hwang Bo-gwan stated, "We judge it inappropriate to resolve the current financial problems through uniform salary cuts for players or office staff," adding, "The responsibility for the current situation should primarily be borne by the management head."

He further explained, "The club's management has proposed to the city that they will not receive compensation until finances are normalized."

They are also moving to reduce operating costs. The plan is to minimize non-essential expenditures, excluding costs necessary for matches, player operations, and essential office duties.

Efforts to improve the efficiency of player operations are also underway. The club explained that due to the nature of professional football, there are fixed periods when player contracts, registrations, transfers, and loans can be made, making immediate headcount reduction during the season difficult, and that already signed player contracts cannot be unilaterally modified or terminated.

They revealed that since last June, they have continued efforts to reduce player operating costs by consulting with domestic and international clubs regarding player transfers, loans, and contract adjustments.

They are also working on expanding revenue and attracting additional sponsorship through PajuNFC.

A more fundamental solution was presented in the form of a private acquisition plan.

Paju announced that it officially proposed to Paju City on August 27 a plan for financial normalization and transition to responsible management through private acquisition.

The plan included provisions for the private sector to bear ownership and management responsibility while maintaining the public nature and identity as a citizen club, and gradually reducing the financial burden on Paju City.

It is also known that the plan includes a provision where the private sector proactively takes full responsibility for resolving the approximately 1.5 billion won funding shortfall for the 2026 season, premised on the acquisition of the club.

Manager Hwang Bo-gwan emphasized, "I believe this issue should not end with merely securing additional budget to cover this year's shortfall," adding, "Because if the current financial structure is maintained, the same problem could recur."

Paju promised to prioritize resolving the salary issue.

Addressing the players, Manager Hwang Bo-gwan said, "Resolving the salary issue is not the responsibility of the players, but of the club's management," adding, "The club and I will take the lead in resolving it. We ask that you focus on training and matches."

He further stated, "We expect to continue substantive consultations with Paju City to minimize harm to players and office staff, reduce the burden on citizens, and ensure that the professional football team representing Paju has a sustainable structure."

Finally, he apologized once again to citizens and fans, stating, "We will not simply get through this crisis, but will build a sustainable club where the same problem does not recur."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original