Final Audit Results of the Korea Football Association
Unfair Exercise of Coach Appointment and Pardon Authority
Disciplinary Action Requested to the Football Association Fairness Committee
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has demanded that the Korea Football Association impose disciplinary actions of at least suspension of qualifications on Chairman Chung Mong-gyu and other senior officials.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the Ministry announced the final results of the audit of the Korea Football Association at the annex of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, expressing this position.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Auditor Choi Hyun-jun is giving the final briefing on the results of the special audit of the Korea Football Association on the afternoon of the 5th at the Government Seoul Office Annex. Photo by Yonhap News
The Ministry concluded that disciplinary actions of at least suspension of qualifications are necessary for Chairman Chung, Kim Jeong-bae, the full-time vice chairman involved in the appointment process of national team coach Hong Myung-bo, and Lee Im-saeng, the technical director.
The Ministry stated that Chairman Chung should be held accountable not only for the controversy over the coach appointment as the head of the association’s operations but also for inappropriate pardoning of disciplined football personnel and false applications for subsidies related to the construction of the Cheonan Football Complex Center.
Regarding disciplinary standards, Auditor Choi Hyun-jun said, "According to the Korea Football Association’s Fair Committee regulations, expulsion, dismissal, and suspension of qualifications correspond to severe disciplinary actions based on civil servant standards. The Fair Committee can choose among these three."
He added, "We are not recommending but demanding disciplinary action," and explained, "According to the regulations, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has the authority to demand disciplinary action, and the Korea Football Association’s Fair Committee is responsible for making the decision. We expect the association to make a desirable judgment that aligns with public expectations and opinion."
Earlier, during the announcement of the interim audit results on the 2nd of last month, the Ministry pointed out procedural issues in the appointment process of Coach Hong Myung-bo. On this day, they reiterated that there were problems in the appointment process and notified the association to seek ways to correct the flaws, including reappointment procedures through the National Team Strengthening Committee.
However, the Ministry viewed that detailed decisions such as whether to maintain or dismiss Coach Hong under the existing contract are within the association’s autonomous judgment.
The Ministry also revealed that inappropriate handling occurred multiple times in the construction project of the Football Complex Center. They pointed out that the association agreed to a loan contract with Hana Bank for up to 61.5 billion KRW without the Ministry’s approval while securing funds for the center’s construction, and violated an agreement not to create office space during the process of receiving 7.7 billion KRW in subsidies.
The Ministry emphasized that the sudden pardoning of disciplined football personnel in March last year was judged as an "improper exercise of pardoning authority," holding Chairman Chung responsible.
Issues were also raised regarding unfair practices, such as six students who should have failed the highest-level P-class coaching course passing, and the poor management of the Integrated Match Information System that handles personal information of football personnel and fans.
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