South Korean police have launched an investigation into the Korea Football Association (KFA), carrying out raids at its offices as part of a probe into the appointment of former men’s national team head coach Hong Myung-bo. The searches took place on August 6 at the KFA headquarters in Cheonan and the association’s office in central Seoul as authorities examined allegations of irregularities linked to his appointment in July 2024.
According to police, the investigation centers on suspected obstruction of business and claims that the selection process may have involved unfair intervention. The inquiry follows South Korea’s disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign, during which the national team failed to advance beyond the group stage, placing renewed scrutiny on the circumstances surrounding Hong’s appointment.
South Korean Police Raid Football Association Over Hong Myung-bo Appointment Probe
Police in South Korea carried out search and seizure operations at the Korea Football Association (KFA) on August 6 as part of an investigation into the appointment of former men’s national team head coach Hong Myung-bo. Authorities searched the KFA headquarters in Cheonan and its offices in central Seoul while examining allegations that the federation improperly handled Hong’s appointment in July 2024. The investigation is centered on suspected obstruction of business and whether senior officials interfered in the selection process.
Hong, 57, stepped down as South Korea head coach in June after the national team suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the FIFA World Cup, including a shock defeat to South Africa. His appointment had been questioned from the outset after the KFA abandoned a lengthy search involving foreign candidates before naming him following a brief meeting. The controversy has resurfaced following the team’s World Cup failure, bringing renewed scrutiny to the federation’s decision-making process.
2024 Coaching Appointment Under Fresh Investigation After World Cup Disappointment
The probe had already been underway before the World Cup after complaints alleged irregularities in Hong’s appointment. In October 2024, South Korea’s sports ministry concluded that the KFA had breached its own internal procedures when appointing both Hong and former coach Jurgen Klinsmann, stating that the meeting between Hong and the federation’s technical director did not qualify as a proper interview. However, investigators found no evidence of illegal conduct at the time and did not recommend cancelling Hong’s contract. No criminal findings have been announced against either Hong or KFA officials.
Hong appeared before a parliamentary committee in late July, where he denied receiving preferential treatment during the hiring process while accepting responsibility for South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign. President Lee Jae Myung also criticized the country’s football leadership after the early exit, blaming “incompetent people” promoted through “loyalty and factionalism” for the team’s struggles. The Korea Football Association has not commented on the ongoing police investigation.
