Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korean national soccer team, said he has no intention of resigning due to controversy over the appointment of the coach.
Hong appeared as a witness to a question on pending issues held at a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 24th.
One of the main issues on the day was the procedural justification of the appointment process. Hong said, “I am deeply sorry for causing public resentment,” but added that there was no unfairness in the appointment process.
“I’ve never said I’m going to coach the national team,” he said. “Based on my experience (of the former director), I don’t think there’s unfairness or preferential treatment (for me).”
He said, “I received the supervisory position because I heard that I was ranked first in the Power Enhancement Committee, but I wouldn’t have received it if I was ranked second or third.” He stressed, “I don’t know everything because I wasn’t in the committee, but I don’t think I have preferential treatment.”
“I was happy to receive support and love from fans as Ulsan coach,” Hong said. “The hardest time in my 40 years of soccer was after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I wanted to run away because I knew how hard it was.”
“When Lee Im-saeng, the technical director, visited and interviewed, it was difficult to ignore the difficulties of Korean soccer,” he said. “I thought the sense of responsibility and mission I had 10 years ago would not come out again, but I decided to come out and do my last service after the interview.”
Asked about the controversy over procedural legitimacy during the appointment process, Hong flatly said, “I have no intention of resigning from the coach post over this issue,” adding, “Of course, I will be replaced someday if my performance is not good.” “I think it is my role to make our team really strong for the rest of the year,” he stressed.
However, he said that the appointment process was carried out properly overall, but there was an administrative error at the last minute. “I haven’t been able to see the minutes of the (Power Enhancement Committee) meeting, but from what you’re talking about today, I don’t think there’s any problem at all until the 10th meeting,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what kind of meeting it is, but I think there was an administrative error at the 11th meeting.”
Director Hong said, “I can admit that there were no administrative procedures such as appointment letters while replacing the chairman of the power reinforcement committee,” but added, “But until the 10th meeting, I don’t think there is any problem with any remarks by the members, 먹튀검증 including former chairman Jung Hae-sung, or the role of the committee.”
Meanwhile, Culture and Sports Minister Yoo In-chon said on the same day that he would first announce the results of the investigation into the controversy over the process of appointing the national soccer team coach by the Korea Football Association on October 2. Emphasizing the importance of the procedure, Minister Yoo said, “We should point out what is wrong and the (coach) decision should be made by the Korea Football Association.”