Police in South Korea on Thursday raided the headquarters of the Korea Football Association as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, following the country’s disappointing performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Authorities carried out a search and seizure operation at the KFA offices over allegations of “obstruction of business” linked to Hong’s recruitment in 2024.
A police spokesman told AFP that investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the appointment.
Police conducted “search and seizure operations” at the Korea Football Association offices, probing allegations of “obstruction of business” in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, a police spokesman told AFP.
Hong, 57, stepped down in June after South Korea crashed out in the group stage of the expanded 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The team’s campaign ended with a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa, prompting widespread criticism.
Questions had already surrounded Hong’s appointment when he was named coach in 2024, but the scrutiny intensified after South Korea failed to advance to the last-32 knockout round.
Seoul police said financial crimes investigators were “looking into whether there were charges of obstruction of business during the appointment of Hong Myung-bo”, a spokesman told AFP.
According to local media, investigators are examining claims that senior KFA officials may have improperly influenced Hong’s appointment in breach of the association’s internal procedures.
Expectations had been high for the South Korean side, which featured experienced captain Son Heung-min, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in.
Many local media outlets had described the squad as a “golden generation.”
In late July, Hong appeared before a parliamentary committee, where he accepted responsibility for the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
He told lawmakers he took “full responsibility” for the poor performance.
President Lee Jae Myung also criticised the country’s football leadership, blaming the poor World Cup outing on “incompetent people” promoted into key positions and suggesting that “loyalty and factionalism” had influenced appointments within the sport.
The KFA declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Hong also faced criticism from supporters for leaving Son Heung-min on the bench during the first half of South Korea’s decisive group match against South Africa, a tactical decision that baffled many fans.
When the team returned home in June, angry supporters booed Hong and chanted “Hong out!” at the airport while applauding the players.
Speaking later, Hong admitted he was struggling to explain the team’s collapse.
During last month’s parliamentary hearing, lawmakers also questioned reports that he earned an annual salary of 3.8 billion won (about $2.6 million), a figure believed to be among the highest paid to a national team coach.
Hong said at the time the figure was wrong, but declined to disclose the correct one.
