"Procedural Issues in Hong Myung-bo's Appointment" Pointed Out
Chukhyup Union Issues Statement Opposing Chung Mong-gyu's Fourth Term Bid
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon effectively called for the resignation of Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), saying, "I think it would be honorable for him to decide his own position." On the 20th, Minister Yoo said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "(President Chung) is now trying to serve a fourth term. Originally, the president of the KFA is only allowed to serve two terms, but the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fairness Committee permitted a third term." He added, "To serve a fourth term, he would have to go through that process again, but considering the current public opinion, I personally think it would be more honorable for him to decide his own position."
As Minister Yoo mentioned, the term for the KFA president is four years, with one possible renewal. However, exceptions to the term limit can be granted through review by the Korea Sports Council's Sports Fairness Committee. When asked by the host whether there were any issues detected in the appointment process of Hong Myung-bo as the national football team coach, Minister Yoo replied, "As many media outlets and those involved have mentioned, I understand there were roughly procedural problems." He continued, "From the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's standpoint, if there are problems with the appointment process of Coach Hong, we will definitely point them out," adding, "Whether the Football Association accepts that and appoints a new coach or follows the proper procedures again to maintain Coach Hong is a decision they must make themselves."
Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu and National Football Team Coach Hong Myung-bo [Photo by Yonhap News]
Earlier, the Korea Football Association Labor Union also issued a statement opposing President Chung's bid for a fourth term. The union said, "Ignoring the angry public opinion of football fans and the media, the Chung Mong-gyu administration's behavior of blindly pursuing a fourth term for the president goes beyond ignorance to sheer incompetence," and added, "President Chung's declaration not to run will be the first step in resolving the crisis in Korean football." The union further urged, "President Chung should end his association with Korean football after allowing the newly formed national team coach and staff to settle amid controversies and difficulties," and "The remaining pressing reform tasks should be left to the next administration, and we hope he leaves without regrets."
They also stated, "The union, like ordinary football fans, has reached a point where it can no longer tolerate the situation. We hope the Chung Mong-gyu administration will finish this term and conclude on a good note." Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plans to summon Coach Hong, President Chung, and Lee Im-saeng, the KFA's Technical Director, as witnesses on the 24th to investigate the controversies surrounding the Football Association.
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