The request for a specific audit review submitted by the Korea Football Association was dismissed. Consequently, the football association must resolve the disciplinary action of suspension or more severe measures against Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu as requested by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) within one month and report the implementation result to the MCST.
The MCST announced on the 2nd that it has notified the dismissal of the specific audit review requested by the Korea Football Association. The MCST conducted an audit of the various controversies surrounding the Korea Football Association from July of last year and announced the results of the specific audit on Nov. 5 of the same year.
The MCST confirmed nine illegal and unfair cases, demanding disciplinary action, corrections, and caution, and notified the association to prepare reasonable improvement plans.
The association issued a press release titled 'The association's stance on the MCST's specific audit results,' refuting the MCST's audit results the following day. The association raised objections to seven inappropriate issues, including the national team manager selection process, the handling of the Korea Football Comprehensive Center construction project, the pardon of soccer figures in 2023, the payment of advisory fees to non-permanent executives, the operation of soccer coaching workshops, the management of the Korea Football Association's Soccer Love Sharing Foundation, and employee service management and travel expenses.
Regarding the association's request for a review, the MCST convened an audit review committee to deliberate on seven agenda items, all of which were dismissed. In the case of disciplinary action, the results must be communicated within one month after a disciplinary resolution, while measures such as system improvement or corrections must be reported to the MCST within two months.
The MCST pointed out responsibilities for President Chung not only in the controversy over the appointment of national team manager Hong Myung-bo but also in inappropriate pardons for disciplined football figures and the false application for subsidies for the construction of the Cheonan Football Comprehensive Center, demanding suspension or more severe disciplinary action.
President Chung is running for the 55th soccer association president election, aiming for a fourth term in the election to be held on the 8th. The MCST also held Vice President Kim Jeong-bae and Technical Director Lee Im-seng responsible for the process of appointing manager Hong, calling for suspension or more severe disciplinary actions.
The MCST instructed reactivation of the National Team Strengthening Committee concerning Manager Hong, even if it means reappointing him. Detailed methods such as whether to maintain or terminate the contract with Manager Hong were left to the association's discretion.
The audit regarding suspicions raised at the National Assembly audit about the inappropriate dispatch of HDC Hyundai Development Company employees to the football association is ongoing. The MCST plans to disclose these results soon as well.
The MCST stated it plans to consistently take necessary actions to enhance fairness and transparency across the sports sector and to do their best to restore public trust.