(ATTN: ADDS more info at bottom; AMENDS headline)

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, July 30 (Yonhap) -- The former head of the national football federation and ex-head coach of the men's national team were grilled during a parliamentary hearing Thursday, with lawmakers demanding answers on a wide range of issues.

Chung Mong-gyu, who recently resigned as president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), and Hong Myung-bo, who quit as South Korea's head coach following the team's early exit at the FIFA World Cup in June, were among those called in as witnesses during the hearing held by the National Assembly's committee on sports.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Lee Jae-jung of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), convened the hearing to question Chung, Hong and others on opaque management at the KFA and on reasons behind South Korea's elimination from the group stage at the World Cup.

South Korea posted one win and two losses in Group A play to miss out on the round of 32.

"Football has long been a sport that has given our people so much joy and a sense of pride. It has been more than a sport for us," Lee said. "Lately, there have been a lot of suspicions raised regarding the coaching hiring process and transparency at the KFA, and the public remains concerned about the KFA's operations overall. We are not here just to quibble over why the national team played so poorly. This hearing will review suspicions raised against the KFA and explore ideas on how the KFA should be run. We will also look at football governance overall."

Chung, who stepped down in early July to end his 13-year reign, apologized for South Korea's poor showing at the World Cup.

"During my time at the KFA, I tried my best to ensure development for Korean football. I would like to apologize for a series of controversial issues and for the inadequate results at the World Cup," said Chung, who is also chairman of major construction company HDC Hyundai Development Co. "From now on, I will concentrate on my business management and will try to give back to society."

Hong, who resigned in the immediate aftermath of South Korea's elimination, also issued his apology.

"I fully accept the responsibility for not being able to live up to our fans' expectations," Hong said. "I will state the facts to the best of my knowledge, and I will not evade any responsibility."

The KFA was previously subject to an extensive probe by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2024, when it was accused of not following a proper vetting process and protocols in its hiring of Hong as head coach that year. Chung, Hong and other KFA executives were also called into answer questions from the sports committee legislators during a parliamentary audit in 2024, and many of the same questions were brought up again during Wednesday's session.

Rep. Lee, the committee chair, also resorted to asking why South Korea missed the knockout stage at the World Cup, despite her earlier assertion that the hearing would be more than about match results.

DP Rep. Lim O-kyeong asked Chung about the widely held perception that Korea University alumni have been receiving favorable treatment at the KFA, with Chung himself having graduated from the Seoul-based institution.

"Of the 25 men's national team head coaches hired on my watch, only one of them went to Korea University. None of 20 or so women's national team coaches went to the school," Chung responded. "But I do apologize that people have that perception of the KFA."

People Power Party's Bae Hyun-jin argued that Hong was hired without a proper job interview, with Lee Lim-saeng, then the KFA's technical director with no authority on coaching appointments, simply offering Hong the job at a bakery near Hong's house.

When Bae asked Hong if he did not feel embarrassed about his hiring process, the ex-coach replied: "When I received the offer, I thought they had all taken the proper steps. People may think things were not so transparent, but I never once asked for any special treatment."

Lee Lim-saeng, who has since left the KFA post, is currently working for a Cambodian club and did not attend Wednesday's hearing.

"I must stress that just because they did not come to this hearing, it does not mean these witnesses are free from their responsibility," said Lee Jae-jung, the committee chair.

In light of South Korea's World Cup elimination, the sports ministry formed the K-Football Innovation Committee, with its members discussing ways to improve the KFA's governance, among other issues.

The two co-chairs of the new panel, former South Korean captain Park Ji-sung and Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min, were both chosen as expert witnesses for Wednesday's hearing, but only Ryu was present for the session.

Later in the session, Kim Jin-kyu, an assistant coach for Hong at the World Cup, denied a rumored rift between Hong and some players during the tournament.

DP Rep. Choi Min-hee said some fans believe Hong benched two veteran players, captain Son Heung-min and midfielder Lee Jae-sung, at the start of the final Group A match against South Africa out of spite. And when Choi noted that fans think the two players' absences were among the reasons for South Korea's 1-0 loss, Kim said he and his staff did not share that view.

Choi pressed Kim further on why South Korea fell to the underdog team, the former assistant coach said, "It is difficult for me to say why we lost."

In response, the lawmaker shot back, "This kind of attitude is why our football is going through all this despite having great players around."

jeeho@yna.co.kr

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