Chung Mong-kyu, chairman of the Korea Football Association, was criticized until the last day of the parliamentary audit over the controversy over the fairness of the selection process of Hong Myung-bo’s national soccer team.
At a comprehensive audit of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Monday, Chairman Chung failed to avoid sharp questions from lawmakers.
Chairman Chung was a witness in a questioning on pending issues at the National Assembly on the 24th of last month, when the controversy over the appointment of Hong was raging.
Since then, the national soccer team has reached the fifth ridge of the World Cup finals by winning the second consecutive round of the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup under coach Hong.
However, negative public opinion still remains against Hong. The committee also persistently pointed out the issue until the last day.
Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea put up a table comparing Hong and the recent process of appointing Shin Sang-woo as the head coach of the women’s national team and asked a question to Chairman Chung.
Min pointed out that there is no controversy over the appointment of Shin, which is because the Korea Football Association normally and in accordance with the procedure after the current questioning.
Representative Min asked, “The appointment of director Shin came after the questioning of the current issue, and it went very normally,” adding, “Did he not do it on purpose when he could have done so during director Hong?”
Chairman Chung said, “In the case of Hong, the National Power Reinforcement Committee has not been able to find a candidate properly for five months, and it was held with only a month and a half left before the September A match.”
Rep. Min pointed out again, “When I was coach Hong, I was out of my league,” adding, “(When you look at Chung’s book, ‘The Age of Soccer,’) the chairman is responsible for everything. How will he be held accountable?” in effect, urging him to resign.
Chung did not mention whether he would resign or seek a fourth term in office. On the process of appointing Hong, Chung said, “I don’t think it was perfect.” 토토사이트
“I think one of the reasons why it was difficult for candidates to be leaked to the media when selecting candidates from the committee. I feel sorry for this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the results of an audit on Hong’s appointment process on the 2nd, concluding that at least Hong was not given preferential treatment.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism judged that there would have been no problem if the Korea Football Association had not conducted additional interviews with foreign candidates after the 10th meeting of the committee, but immediately entered negotiations for the appointment of Hong.