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South Korean police have raided the offices of the Korea Football Association (KFA) over allegations of irregularities in the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo in 2024.
The surprise search was conducted on Thursday as investigators sought evidence of possible improper interference by KFA officials in the coaching recruitment process, according to the Associated Press.
Investigators searched the KFA’s headquarters in Cheonan, about 90 kilometres south of Seoul, as well as KFA House in central Seoul.
The police investigation began shortly after Hong’s appointment but remained largely stalled for nearly two years. It gained renewed momentum after South Korea’s disappointing group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup triggered public anger.
Both Hong and KFA president Chung Mong-gyu resigned after the World Cup. They also appeared at a parliamentary hearing in Seoul last month.
The controversy centres on claims that former KFA technical director Lee Lim-saeng approached Hong at a bakery near the coach’s home to offer him the national team job.
South Korea’s Sports Ministry had previously said the conversation between Lee and Hong was not a formal meeting. The KFA was also accused of violating its own recruitment procedures, although the ministry said it had found no evidence of illegal activity at the time.
Hong, who captained South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, was reportedly questioned by police on Tuesday, according to local media.
Defending himself at the parliamentary hearing, Hong said he believed the KFA had followed the proper procedures when he received the offer.
“When I received the offer, I thought they had followed all the proper procedures,” Hong said. “People may think that everything was not entirely transparent, but I never asked for any special treatment.”
