"Public outrage over the incident, yet a 'no-show' again"... The figure behind the "flight controversy" that has ruined Korean football now faces direct legal punishment

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Im-saeng, former head of the Technical Department at the Korea Football Association, who evaded both the hearing and the National Assembly inspection by citing his club team's schedule as a shield, has ultimately faced strong legal action at the National Assembly level. Moon Che-wi (Director) directly hinted at a stern response to the irresponsible behavior that turned the National Assembly inspection venue into a place of refuge.

At the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee inspection held on the 21st, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Gye-won strongly criticized the former director's repeated absences through a procedural speech. Jo (Rep.) stated, "Today's session is a serious National Assembly inspection aimed at correcting wrong practices in the Korean sports community and restoring its diminished status," adding, "However, the inspection venue has now degenerated into a refuge for some witnesses, seriously undermining the authority and solemnity of the National Assembly."

Following this, Jo (Rep.) said, "After the absences of Lee Im-saeng, former head of the Technical Department, and Kwon O-gap, president of the Korea Professional Football League, today even former Shim Pan-wi (Director) Moon Jin-hee has completely disappeared without submitting a statement of reasons for absence, even changing his phone number." He added, "I earnestly request that you take the strongest and most severe legal measures, such as filing a criminal complaint, against the behavior of using the National Assembly inspection venue as a place of refuge."

In response, Moon Che-wi (Director) Chairman Chae Jeon-soo also stated, "We are viewing the situation with gravity. We will work together to restore authority by utilizing all the powers available to the National Assembly," officially announcing the push for legal action.

Previously, the office of Jo Gye-won (Rep.) had also urged, immediately after submitting the statement of reasons, that "the choice of absence without justifiable reason by key figures who have caused public outrage is not only an act of disrespecting the National Assembly but also an irresponsible attitude focused on hiding sports industry corruption and current issues." They added, "Evading with the flimsy excuse of training for a Cambodian team is nothing more than overseas flight-like employment to avoid responsibility. Since a criminal complaint has already been scheduled due to absence from the hearing, the witness complaint case should be processed as soon as possible."

The former director's absence stands in stark contrast to other football figures who previously appeared before the National Assembly. Hong Myung-bo, former manager who resigned after being eliminated in the group stage with one win and two losses at the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup, stayed at his home in the United States but directly entered the country to attend the hearing. Former Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu also faced criticism from Na Wa (Rep.) members during his appearance before the National Assembly. In contrast, only the former director, who led the manager appointment process, has failed to show up despite repeated summons.

The former director took over the appointment work without official authority after Jeon Ryeok-gang-hwa (Chairman) Chairman Chung Hae-sung resigned in 2024. Subsequently, he decided on the national team head coach, with an annual salary exceeding 2 billion won, through a late-night "bakery meeting."

When controversy arose, he claimed legitimacy by stating he had been delegated full authority, but this turned out to be a lie. He expressed his intention to resign during a National Assembly inquiry on current issues, and it was confirmed that Vice Chairman Choi Young-il accompanied him to the late-night meeting, leading to a criminal complaint for perjury.

His conduct immediately after the World Cup also sparked fierce public outrage. Without an apology, he went directly to become the Technical Director of Naga World FC in Cambodia. It was no wonder that harsh criticism poured in, labeling it as typical flight-like employment.

He explained that he had accepted the offer on the day of the victory against Czechia, but this was merely an excuse. Ultimately, his appointment as director was interpreted as being used as a pretext for his absence from the hearing. He even faced suspicions of attempting to destroy evidence by changing his mobile phone number immediately after the World Cup.

His low profile continued even after the hearing. The former director is known to have secretly moved between Cambodia and Korea while completely hiding his face from the media.

Recently, controversy over "changing his story" arose as he reversed his previous statements during legal disputes. When the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism demanded severe disciplinary action through a specific audit, his side filed an application to join the lawsuit at the Seoul High Court in early this month. The former director's side claimed, "Jeong (Chairman) instructed 'Go with Manager Hong,' and I received instructions regarding the contract from former Vice Chairman Kim Jung-bae." This effectively reverses his public declaration two years ago that "I led it alone and will take all responsibility" at the time of the appointment.

The suspicions to be clarified are clear, ranging from procedural flaws in the appointment process to perjury and reversal of stance. Unlike other responsible parties who attended the National Assembly to explain their positions while enduring criticism, the former director continues to refuse attendance, hiding behind overseas schedules. As the National Assembly has warned of a stern response using all available powers, the former director's standoff, using overseas stay as a shield, has reached its limit.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original