Search of Korean FA raises questions over Hong Myung-bo appointment

Perquisition of the Korean Football Association’s headquarters took place on Thursday, with police conducting a search and seizure operation amid a probe into the 2024 appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo. The raid came several weeks after South Korea’s first‑round exit from the 2026 World Cup, underscoring the heightened scrutiny on the federation.

La police announced to AFP that officers carried out "search and seizure operations" inside the KFA offices, aiming to determine whether an "obstruction to activity" occurred during Hong Myung-bo’s hiring process. A police spokesperson said the investigation focuses on possible irregularities in the selection procedure.

According to local media, investigators are seeking evidence that senior federation officials may have intervened improperly, potentially breaching organisational rules. The Korean Football Association declined to comment when contacted for a statement.

Hong Myung-bo, 57, concluded his second spell as head coach at the end of June after another disappointing World Cup campaign, echoing the failure that saw South Korea exit at the group stage in 2014. His tenure ended following the team’s inability to progress beyond the opening round.

In late July, Hong appeared before a parliamentary committee and asserted that he assumed "entire responsibility" for the World Cup elimination, a direct quote from his testimony. The former captain’s admission highlighted the personal accountability he felt for the results.

President Lee Jae Myung publicly blamed the defeat on "incompetent persons" promoted to leadership roles, invoking the term "sectarianism" to describe the perceived bias in high‑level recruitment. His remarks suggested systemic issues within the sport’s governance.

After a promising 2‑1 victory over the Czech Republic, the Taeguk Warriors fell 1‑0 to Mexico and then 1‑0 to South Africa, leaving the side with just three points and no chance of reaching the round of 16. The string of narrow defeats sealed South Korea’s early departure.

Hong, a former captain, is regarded as one of the nation’s football icons. At the 2002 World Cup on home soil, he earned the Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third‑best player, helping Corée Sud reach the semi‑finals. The article header listed Hong Myung-bo le 24 juin 2026 – Icon.