“The one who ruined the World Cup” is called back by the National Assembly again… Will he finally make his first appearance after the “controversy over overseas job-seeking as an escape”?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The individual who plunged the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup into a worst-case disaster has been summoned again as a witness for the National Assembly’s audit. After failing to appear at the hearing, he had continued to evade attention by moving between Cambodia and South Korea. However, this latest summons clearly demonstrates that he can no longer escape responsibility through overseas flight.

According to the sports industry, on the 14th, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly held a plenary session and selected former Korea Football Association Technical Director Lee Im-saeng as a witness for the national audit of seven institutional investors, including the Korea Sports and Olympic Committee, scheduled to be held on the 21st. In addition, acting Korea Football Association President Lee Yong-su and former Executive Vice Chairman Kim Jung-bae were also included in the list. Former Shim Pan-wi (Director) Moon Jin-hee, Korea Professional Football League Chairman Kwon O-gap, and Yongin FC Technical Director Lee Dong-guk were also selected as witnesses.

The re-adoption of the former director as a witness was a foregone conclusion. During the National Assembly hearing held immediately after the North and Central America World Cup in July, the former director submitted a statement of reasons for non-attendance citing overseas stay, but ultimately failed to appear.

The Hong Myung-bo-led team finished in 34th place with one win and two losses, failing to advance from the group stage. It was only natural that intense calls for accountability were directed at former director Lee, who had spearheaded the appointment of the head coach. However, former director Lee avoided appearing before the National Assembly.

At the time of the hearing, in addition to former Director Lee, nine other witnesses failed to appear, including former Korea Football Association Vice Chairman Park Hang-seo and Jeonbuk Football Association President Seo Gang-il. People Power Party lawmaker Cho Eun-hee criticized the situation, stating, "Technical Director Lee Im-saeng led a blind interview process at the time of Coach Hong Myung-bo's appointment," adding, "The party responsible for conducting the proceedings without any authority to make appointments or meeting minutes left the country and did not show up."

Lee Jae-jeong Moon Che-wi (Director) also issued a strong rebuke. Lee (Chairman) stated firmly, “The National Assembly’s request for attendance is the people’s demand that you come to the public forum.” He added, “Turning your back on the seat does not exempt you from responsibility,” warning that “you may be called again in future national audits and other proceedings.” With this re-adoption, that warning has become reality.

Criticism of the former director stemmed from his unilateral actions. When Jeong Hae-sung, Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman), resigned in 2024, he took over the selection process without any official authority. He subsequently pushed forward with the appointment of former head coach Hong Myung-bo.

After the controversy erupted, the former director-general asserted his legitimacy by claiming he had been granted full authority. However, suspicions of unfairness persisted. When he appeared for a question-and-answer session on current issues before the National Assembly and was pressed by committee members regarding their consent, he shed tears and expressed his intention to resign. He was even reported to authorities on charges of perjury after making false testimony that he had met with the other party alone, despite Vice Chairman Choi Young-il accompanying him during a late-night meeting.

His conduct after the crisis also drew fierce public outrage. Following South Korea’s elimination from the World Cup, both former coach Hong and Chung Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman) stepped down. However, former director Lee took up a position as technical director for Cambodia’s Naga World FC without issuing any apology to the public. Criticism poured in from within and outside the football community, labeling his move as “flight-like employment” aimed at evading an investigation into the root causes of the incident.

The former director's side drew a clear line, stating that the final acceptance of the Naga World proposal occurred on June 12, the day of the victory against the Czech Republic. However, in the end, he failed to appear at the hearing, citing overseas employment as an excuse. This stood in stark contrast to former coach Hong, who entered the country from his home in the United States and appeared before the hearing panel.

The on-site criticism during the hearing was also sharp. Jeong Hae-sung Jeon (Chairman) testified, "After narrowing down to three final candidates, I was delegated the authority to determine the ranking and decided that Coach Hong would be the first choice." The lawmakers condemned the decision as the epitome of unfairness, noting that the national team manager, whose annual salary exceeds 2 billion won, was selected through a "bakery interview."

However, due to the absence of former director Lee, who is a key party involved, specific details of the circumstances could not be disclosed. Former director Lee also faced suspicions of attempting to destroy evidence by changing his mobile phone number shortly after the team's elimination from the World Cup.

Even after the hearing, the former director did not appear in the media at all. He continued to live a low-profile life, traveling back and forth between Cambodia and South Korea. In contrast, bright videos of him smiling were posted on Naga World's official social media accounts. Enraged fans flooded the comment section of the club's official YouTube channel, protesting with messages such as "He ran away" and "Attend the hearing."

The controversy was further compounded by allegations of shifting statements. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism demanded severe disciplinary action following a special audit. In response, the former director submitted an application to join the lawsuit at the Seoul High Court in early this month. The former director’s side claimed that when they conveyed Coach Hong’s willingness to accept the position to Jeong (Chairman), they received the instruction, “Then let’s go with Coach Hong Myung-bo.” They added that they had also received specific instructions regarding the contract from former Vice Chairman Kim Jung-bae. This marked a reversal of his stance at the time of his appointment two years ago, when he stated, “I led this alone and will take full responsibility.”

The individual in question drove Korean soccer to the brink of collapse and then fled abroad in an attempt to evade responsibility. Now that the National Assembly has summoned him back to the witness stand, voices are growing louder demanding that he cease his evasion and silence and take his place in the public arena. It is time for him to bear clear accountability for the unilateral appointment process, perjury, and contradictory statements.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original