Law & Justice
South Korea police raid football body in coach probe
South Korean police said they raided the Korea Football Association's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
A police spokesman told AFP that officers carried out search and seizure operations while probing allegations of obstruction of business in Hong's recruitment.
Hong, 57, resigned in June after South Korea failed to reach the World Cup knockout stage following a 1-0 defeat to South Africa.
Questions had already surrounded the Korea Football Association's 2024 appointment of Hong, and scrutiny intensified after the group-stage exit.
In late July, Hong was summoned before a committee of lawmakers probing the issue. He said he took full responsibility for the team's poor performance.
President Lee Jae Myung blamed the failure on incompetent people promoted to leadership, in a statement alluding to loyalty and factionalism affecting recruitment at the top level of the sport.
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 outcome of the police investigation has not been reported.
The specific people or officials targeted by the obstruction of business allegations are not identified in the supplied material.
Source
AFP news report published on .