Explosive Investigation Reveals 27 Violations in Korea Football Association Leading to Calls for Chairman Chung’s Resignation

Violations of procedures for the hiring of coaches Jürgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo, inappropriate handling of work related to the Cheonan Football Center construction project, and unfair handling of condition-related pardons for soccer players games. .

This is the final result of a special investigation that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been doing since July this year regarding various controversies about the Korea Football Association. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the Football Association confirmed 27 cases of illegal and unfair business practices. At the same time, he requested that the association impose a heavy disciplinary action, at least suspension of certificates, on three executives, including the Chairman Chung Mong-gyu (62).

The judgment of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is that Chairman Chung should take responsibility as head of the association’s affairs. Although no direct expressions were used, bearing in mind the Articles of Association of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), which state that ‘the association must be independent of any political interference’, it is the message ‘enough is enough’.

However, it seems that Chairman Chung has no intention of resigning. The Football Association issued a statement the next day, on the 6th, and rejected the results of a specific investigation point by point. He also said he would consider requests for reconsideration. This means that the request for disciplinary action will not be accepted. They said they would prepare improvement measures for the payment of consulting fees to non-executive executives and the activities of P-level directors, but explained that the remaining issues were carried out within the rules and scope of duties . During the extensive investigation of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 24th of last month, Chairman Chung answered questions from lawmakers again about whether he would run for a fourth term by saying, ” I will consider various aspects and make a decision. .”

When the Football Association’s rebuttal came out, only football industry officials sighed. A former national football player shook his head and said, “I don’t know why he’s so greedy for his job,” and “I understand you don’t want to retire with shame, but you would be honored. resign now.” One commentator said, “President Chung is largely responsible for the fact that football has become the target of national criticism and criticism,” and added, “It is time resign for the sake of Korean football.”

Anger is also felt within the Football Association. The Football Association union called on President Chung to announce not to run for the next president in September, and even called it an “impeachment” in a statement on October 31. A staff member who requested anonymity complained, “Staff morale is at an all-time low as the entire Football Association is accused of being a ‘hot bed of corruption’ and a ‘deep-rooted force’ it is.” He said, “There is no hope under President Chung’s regime.”

Chairman Chung’s term ends on January 21 next year, the date of the 2025 regular general meeting. If he wants to run for a fourth term, he must first pass the review by the Sports Opportunity Committee Korea Sports Council. The deadline for submitting the agenda is the 2nd of the following month. The same day is the deadline for the registration of Chairman Chung’s candidate as well. Looking at what he has done so far, there is a big chance that he will run for a fourth term. Running for a fourth term is a personal choice, but it seems that a proper explanation must be given for the 27 violations revealed in the investigation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.