South Korean police raid football association over Hong Myung-bo appointment

South Korea’s football federation has placed the appointment of former defender Hong Myung‑bo under intense scrutiny after a series of police raids revealed procedural irregularities in the selection process. The raids, conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Tuesday, targeted the federation’s headquarters and the offices of several senior officials, seizing documents that suggest the interview and vetting stages for the national‑team head‑coach role were bypassed. Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that the standard competitive bidding and transparent evaluation, normally required for such high‑profile positions, were not fully observed, raising concerns about potential favoritism and conflicts of interest.

The federation’s spokesperson confirmed that an internal review is underway and that Hong’s contract will be suspended pending the outcome of the police inquiry. No formal charges have been filed, but officials emphasized that any deviation from established hiring protocols could jeopardize the credibility of the organization and the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign. The investigation is expected to conclude within the next few weeks, after which the federation will decide whether to proceed with Hong’s appointment or reopen the selection process.