Korea Football Association Embroiled in Controversy Over Coach Selection Process

Rep. Kang Yu-jeong, a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, has pointed out discrepancies in the Korea Football Association’s (KFA) explanation of the process for appointing Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the men’s national soccer team.

According to Rep. Kang’s office, the KFA’s briefing contained false information that differed from the actual meeting content. The KFA had stated that the full-time committee members had agreed to delegate the authority to proceed with the coach selection process to Director Lee Im-saeng, but this was not the case.

Rep. Kang reviewed the minutes of the 11th KFA Strengthening Committee and found that the association had explained that the committee would not be dissolved or lose its function, and that the incoming technical director would take charge. However, the KFA’s briefing stated that the committee members had agreed to delegate the authority to Director Lee Im-saeng.

The KFA’s explanation of the coach selection process was also found to be inconsistent. The association had stated that the committee members would participate in the final coach selection process, but the briefing stated that the selection was carried out behind closed doors and without the committee’s involvement.

Rep. Kang criticized the KFA for providing a false briefing to the public and for carrying out the coach selection process in an opaque manner. He called for the executive board of the KFA to resign, stating that they had lost trust through multiple mistakes and lies.

Timeline of Events

• June 30: The KFA holds a temporary meeting via video conferencing program Zoom to discuss the functions and authority of the committee.
• June 30: The KFA explains that the committee will not be dissolved or lose its function, and that the incoming technical director will take charge.
• July 22: The KFA distributes a document titled ‘Explanation of the National Team Coach Appointment Process’ which contains false information about the coach selection process.

Quotes from Rep. Kang Yu-jeong

“The Korea Football Association gave the world a false briefing about the process of selecting a coach.”

“The Korea Football Association’s selection of Coach Hong Myung-bo was not done through a fair and transparent process, but was carried out behind closed doors and in an opaque manner.”

“The executive board of the Korea Football Association must resign as they have lost trust through multiple mistakes and lies.”