Referee sex-bribery allegations open new front in KFA probe as police vow thorough investigation

Police investigating alleged improper interference by Korea Football Association officials in the appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo say they are focusing their inquiry on the decision-making processes of the technical enhancement committee and the KFA board of directors. Investigators have also signaled they may extend the probe to allegations that the association provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees years ago.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said Monday at a regular press briefing at the agency's office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that investigators were analyzing materials seized during a search and seizure operation carried out last Thursday and were continuing to question key witnesses and persons of interest.

Police have been conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the Hong case. On Thursday, investigators executed search and seizure warrants at the KFA's office in Cheonan and at the KFA building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. On Tuesday, Hong was summoned as a suspect and questioned about the overall process by which he was appointed head coach.

Critics have called the searches belated, noting they came two years after Hong's appointment. The police official pushed back, saying records related to the technical committee's recommendation and the board's decision-making procedures were significant, and that investigators would continue to examine whether any wrongdoing occurred by questioning key witnesses.

On allegations that former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and former technical director Lee Im-saeng, among others, replaced their mobile phones after the national team's World Cup elimination, the police official said investigators would ensure that aspect was covered thoroughly.

The KFA also faces allegations that it provided sexual entertainment to more than 10 foreign referees and match officials during seven matches — three World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches and four friendly matches — held in South Korea between 2011 and 2012. Police indicated they were open to launching a separate investigation into those allegations.

The police official said no formal investigation had been initiated yet into that matter, adding that several factors, including prosecutorial requirements, would need to be reviewed first.