Law & Justice
South Korea FA apologises after referee sex claims
South Korea's Korea Football Association has apologised after allegations that it provided sexual entertainment for foreign referees added to scrutiny over the hiring of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The KFA said in a statement posted on August 8 that it "sincerely" apologised for the disappointment and concern caused by controversies surrounding the association after the 2026 World Cup.
South Korea were eliminated at the group stage of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada after a 1-0 defeat to South Africa. Hong, 57, resigned immediately after the defeat.
The apology followed a police raid on KFA headquarters as part of an investigation into Hong's appointment. A Seoul police spokesman previously said financial crimes investigators carried out search and seizure operations while looking into possible obstruction of business charges during Hong's recruitment.
Local broadcaster JTBC reported that a 2016 government audit found the KFA had provided "inappropriate hospitality" on eight occasions in 2011 and 2012 to foreign referees and officials from the Chinese Football Association.
The KFA said many within the association had been unaware of the incidents, but did not deny they happened. It said such improper conduct was no longer taking place.
Questions had already surrounded Hong's appointment in 2024. South Korean lawmakers summoned Hong and former and current KFA officials to a parliamentary hearing on July 30 to question them about the hiring process and Hong's annual salary.
Update
The Korea Football Association apologised over controversies surrounding it after South Korea's 2026 World Cup exit.
Local broadcaster JTBC reported that a 2016 government audit found the KFA had provided inappropriate hospitality on eight occasions to foreign referees and Chinese Football Association officials in 2011 and 2012.
The KFA said many within the association had been unaware of the incidents and did not deny they happened.
The KFA said such improper conduct is no longer taking place.
Source note: AFP news report published on 9 August 2026 at 06:52:55 UTC.
Update
Local media reported that authorities are investigating whether senior Korea Football Association officials improperly intervened in Hong Myung-bo's appointment, allegedly violating internal rules.
The Korea Football Association declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Lawmakers raised claims that Hong's salary was 3.8 billion won, or $2.6 million; Hong said the figure was wrong but did not disclose another amount.
Hong's decision to leave Son Heung-min on the bench in the first half against South Africa angered many supporters, and fans booed Hong on his return from the World Cup.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 03:08:05 UTC.
Update
Hong Myung-bo resigned in June after South Korea were knocked out of the World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to South Africa.
Hong was summoned in late July before a committee of lawmakers probing the issue and said he took full responsibility for the poor performance.
President Lee Jae Myung blamed the World Cup failure on incompetent people promoted to leadership and referred to loyalty and factionalism in recruitment.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 02:25:31 UTC.
Update
Police said the raid took place on Thursday at the Korea Football Association's offices.
Police said the investigation concerns the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo.
A police spokesman said investigators were probing allegations of obstruction of business.
The coach had been in charge during a World Cup in which South Korea failed to reach the knockout stage.
Source note: AFP news report published on 6 August 2026 at 02:14:12 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The sexual entertainment allegations are attributed to local media reporting of a 2016 government audit.
The supplied information does not establish the outcome of the police investigation into Hong's appointment.
Source
AFP news report published on .