KFA Warned by FIFA: South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Suspects Self-Staged Scenario, Possible Collusion

On the afternoon of October 7th, South Korean media previously reported that the KFA (Korean Football Association) was warned by FIFA due to an investigation by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The latest reports from South Korean media indicate that the ministry suspects the incident was self-staged by the KFA and will investigate the matter, as well as urging KFA Chairman Chung Mong-Kyu to resign.

Due to continuous investigations by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the mid-term investigation results showing irregularities in the appointments of Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo, the KFA was warned by FIFA. FIFA required that their work should not be interfered with by third parties, or they would face the most severe penalty of a global ban.

However, according to a report by South Korean media Chosun Sports, officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism suspect that this move was self-staged by the KFA. “It cannot be ruled out that the KFA intentionally had FIFA issue a warning letter; it is possible that they colluded.”

Minister Yoo In-Chul of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that he would investigate the process of FIFA issuing the warning letter. “Although we have not yet confirmed the reason, we will eventually confirm it.”

Additionally, Minister Yoo In-Chul indicated that KFA Chairman Chung Mong-Kyu could not run for re-election for a fourth consecutive term, and it would be best if he voluntarily resigned. “Before FIFA issued the warning letter, we did not consider these issues (that the KFA’s work cannot be interfered with by third parties), so we proposed that Chung Mong-Kyu should voluntarily resign.”