South Korea police raid football association over Hong appointment process

What the report says

South Korean police have raided the Korea Football Association’s offices in Seoul as part of an obstruction-of-business probe tied to the process that led to Hong Myung-bo’s appointment as men’s national team coach, Al Jazeera reported. The investigation focuses on allegations that the hiring process was irregular after the association abandoned a longer search that had included foreign candidates and named Hong following only a brief meeting.

Hong, who returned to the national job in 2024 after previously coaching the side from 2013 to 2014, came under renewed criticism after South Korea’s disappointing World Cup run ended in a group-stage exit. At a parliamentary hearing last month, he denied receiving special treatment in the appointment process and said he accepted responsibility for the team’s tournament failure.

According to the report, South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in October 2024 that the KFA had violated its own rules in the appointments of both Hong and former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, because the technical director’s meeting with Hong was not considered a proper interview. The ministry did not find evidence of criminal conduct or order Hong’s contract cancelled. Police had already been examining complaints about possible improper interference before the World Cup, but no criminal findings had been announced against Hong or KFA officials. The KFA had not commented immediately, the report said.