The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee decided to hold a hearing on the Korea Football Association (KFA) on the 22nd. The move aims to examine the process behind the appointment of national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, as well as the overall operations of the KFA.
The committee held a plenary meeting on the 9th and passed the "Implementation Plan for a Hearing on Korea Football Association Issues" containing these details. Rep. Lee Jung-moon of the Democratic Party said, "Public disappointment and concern over the controversy surrounding the football association are very significant," adding, "We will pursue reform to restore fairness and trust across sports administration."
The committee adopted 13 witnesses, including former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, coach Hong, and former association technical director Lee Im-saeng. Ten people were named as references, including Park Ji-sung, a member of a FIFA committee and co-chairman of the "K-Football Innovation Committee," Korea Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min, and commentators Lee Young-pyo and Park Joo-ho. Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, who competed in the CONCACAF World Cup, were also adopted as references.
The hearing is expected to focus on the association's opaque decision-making structure and operational practices that have been raised over time. According to the results of an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, when former coach Jurgen Klinsmann was appointed in 2023, the process was carried out with the functions of the national team power enhancement committee effectively neutralized. In the process of appointing coach Hong, it was also pointed out that a person without authority recommended candidates and the interview process was not transparent.
However, it remains unclear whether the witnesses and references will actually attend the hearing. Rep. Cho Kye-won of the Democratic Party said on the day, "There is a strong possibility that key parties such as former President Chung will stay abroad after resigning and evade the request to attend." In contrast, coach Hong has expressed his intention to attend the hearing.
Meanwhile, lawmakers of the People Power Party, who have been boycotting standing committee activities in protest against the Democratic Party's committee composition, did not attend the plenary meeting on the day.
