South Korean Football Leadership Under Fire Amid Accusations of Unfair Hiring Process
In a high-stakes political showdown, South Korean football's top leadership faced harsh criticism but refused to step down. Both the South Korean National Football Team’s head coach, Hong Myung-bo, and the president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), Chung Mong-gyu, resisted mounting calls for their resignation.
Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties expressed their discontent on September 24th during a parliamentary session. Their main concern? The allegedly unfair process in appointing Hong as the head coach. Lawmakers zeroed in on the procedural irregularities surrounding the 11th meeting of the National Team Strengthening Committee (NTSC), led by KFA's Technical Director, Lee Im-saeng, on June 30th.
Hong’s appointment raised eyebrows after Jürgen Klinsmann's controversial departure in February. Former NTSC Chairman, Chung Hae-sung, had recommended three candidates to succeed Klinsmann: Hong Myung-bo, German coach David Wagner, and Uruguayan coach Gus Poyet. However, Chung abruptly resigned, leaving Lee to finalize the selection, despite being ineligible under KFA’s bylaws to influence such decisions.
Representative Yang Moon-suk of the Democratic Party questioned Chung Mong-gyu: "What authority did you have to grant full discretion to Mr. Lee? This meeting was an illegal process, and Hong was appointed without any prior interviews." Lawmakers also highlighted the procedural violations that allowed Lee, an ineligible official, to spearhead Hong’s hiring process.
Responding to the criticism, Hong apologized for any public concern but firmly denied any allegations of favoritism. "There was no unfairness. I accepted the offer based on the NTSC's recommendation," Hong stated. When pressed on how he would handle any findings of illegal procedures, Hong emphasized his commitment to preparing the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chung Mong-gyu, meanwhile, was evasive about his own future, amid speculation that he plans to run for a fourth term as KFA president. While defending his past decisions, he avoided a direct answer when questioned about his intentions by National Assembly members. Notably, he faces an uphill battle against growing criticism over his administration’s handling of national football matters.
Despite the mounting controversy, Chung could still run for re-election in January 2024, if the Korea Sports Fairness Committee clears his candidacy. His role as an Executive Committee member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) strengthens his chances. Yet, questions remain as to whether he will prioritize his re-election bid or the long-term development of South Korean football.
Journalist’s Perspective
The ongoing controversy surrounding Hong Myung-bo’s appointment reveals the deeply entrenched issues within South Korean football’s leadership. Despite public outcry and political pressure, both Hong and Chung appear more concerned with maintaining their positions rather than addressing legitimate concerns about transparency and fairness. As South Korea’s national team gears up for critical World Cup qualifiers, the question remains: Can this leadership turbulence affect the team’s focus and performance?
The next few months will be crucial for the KFA and its leadership. With mounting criticism and national expectations, their decisions will likely have long-lasting implications not only for their careers but for South Korean football as a whole.
