Chung Mong-gyu rebuffs police findings on obstruction charges

Former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu has directly rebuffed police findings that led to his referral to prosecutors on charges of obstruction of business in connection with the appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Metropolitan Investigation Unit on Tuesday referred Chung, former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng and former Standing Vice President Kim Jeong-bae to prosecutors without detention on charges of obstruction of business through fraudulent means.

Police determined that the three had improperly interfered with the work of the National Team Enhancement Committee, which holds the authority to recommend coaching candidates, and had fabricated reference materials submitted to the board of directors to conceal their involvement. Specifically, investigators found that documents were falsified to make it appear as though former committee chairman Jeong Hae-seong had asked Lee to continue the coaching appointment process upon his resignation, and to give the impression that Lee held legitimate authority over the appointment — authority he did not actually possess.

Chung immediately issued a statement in response, saying he had "faithfully explained that the national team head coach appointment was carried out lawfully through proper procedures" and that he had "no reason to deceive the board of directors, and certainly did not do so." He also expressed regret over the referral decision and said he would continue to make his case during prosecutors' follow-up investigation.

The Korea Football Association said it was "sorry to the public and football fans that legal issues have arisen over the appointment of the national team head coach," and pledged to operate the coaching selection process for all national teams in a more transparent and fair manner going forward.