"The very definition of cowardice": Going to such lengths to avoid the national audit, "shameless no-show + phone number change" is outrageous... "Complete disappearance successful"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The person who, at the National Assembly hearing, maintained an arrogant attitude with hands in pockets and spouted sophistry before throwing down a resignation letter and fleeing, has this time also unilaterally disappeared from the national audit without submitting a statement of reasons. Amidst the release of shocking audio recordings revealing that he demanded money from referees while in office, his cowardly act of abandoning even the legal scrutiny stage—after previously evading it over the National Assembly's hat issue—is sparking intense outrage.

At the national audit of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly held on the 21st, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Gye-won strongly condemned Moon Jeon (Chairman)'s unauthorized absence during his procedural remarks prior to questioning.

Jo (Rep.) stated, "Today's session is a serious national audit aimed at correcting wrong practices in South Korea's sports sector and restoring its diminished prestige," adding, "However, the audit venue has now degenerated into a refuge for some witnesses, seriously undermining the authority and solemnity of the National Assembly."

He further revealed, "Following the absences of former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng and K-League President Kwon Oh-gap previously pointed out, former Shim Pan-wi (Director) Moon Jin-hee has also completely disappeared today without submitting a statement of reasons for his absence, even changing his phone number."

Jo (Rep.) said, "Moon Jeon (Chairman) is the figure who sparked public outrage at last July's hearing with an arrogant attitude, one hand stuck in his pants pocket," urging, "I earnestly request that you take the strongest and most severe legal measures, including filing a criminal complaint." In response, Moon Che-wi (Director) Chae Jeon-su stated, "We are viewing the situation seriously. We will join efforts to restore authority by fully utilizing the powers available to the National Assembly," foreshadowing strong judicial punishment measures.

This is a cowardly disappearance that is 180 degrees different from the arrogant attitude shown just three months ago. At the National Assembly hearing on July 30, Moon Jeon (Chairman) had spouted the absurd excuse of blaming others, saying, "Because of our country's structure, people curse referees when we lose, so no one wants to be a referee," in response to criticism that South Korea has failed to produce a referee for the World Cup finals for 16 consecutive years. When pressed on suspicions of a private organization cartel involving "self-assignment," he stood slouched with his hands in his pockets and defiantly told a National Assembly member, "Please stop butting in from this morning." Then, as critical public opinion boiled over, he threw down his resignation letter and vanished like a midnight flight before even a week had passed.

While he was in hiding to avoid the National Assembly summons, an audio file containing evidence of corruption committed by Moon Jeon (Chairman) at the pinnacle of referee administration was suddenly released at the audit venue. Jo (Rep.) released a recording alleging that Moon Jeon (Chairman), while in office, demanded money from referees and evaluators. As the voice "Send me some pocket money, I'll send you an account number" came through the speakers, the audit venue was thrown into shock.

Jo (Rep.) shouted at Lee Yong-su, acting head of the Football Association, who appeared as a witness, saying, "You will be familiar with this voice. It is former Shim Pan-wi (Director) Moon Jin-hee," adding, "This is a report that he demanded money from referees and evaluators while in office, a major corruption that undermines the entire referee system linked to assignment frequency and promotion/relegation evaluations."

The Football Association's comprehensive negligence in referee management was also heavily criticized. Jo (Rep.) stated, "Since the unification of referees in 2020, the referee system has festered to the point of being uncontrollable," criticizing, "In August last month, when a referee made sexually harassing remarks to player Ji So-yeon during a match and was protested against, he even pulled out a yellow card." He also pointed out the incompetence of failing to produce a World Cup main referee for four consecutive tournaments from 2014 to the 2026 North and Central America tournament, despite investing 110 million won annually in the "Special Referee" system. Acting head Lee Yong-su bowed his head, saying, "You are right about certain points, Mr. Member of Parliament."

On the ground, he destroyed fans' trust with authoritative judgments and officiating errors; at the hearing venue, he stuck his hands in his pockets and spouted sophistry; yet faced with the blade of corruption suspicions, he even changed his phone number and fled. Moon Jeon (Chairman)'s irresponsible escape act, hiding behind a resignation letter, will ultimately be dragged onto the investigative table of the judicial institutional investor alongside the National Assembly's complaint measures.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original