Hong Myung-Bog: Selection Process Was Not Unfair; Never Actively Sought to Coach the National Team

On the morning of September 24, Hong Myung-bog, head coach of the South Korean national football team, and Park Joo-ho, former member of the Power Strengthening Committee, attended a hearing by the South Korean National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee. The main focus was to address controversies surrounding the selection process conducted by the Korean Football Association.

After former head coach Klinsmann left his position at the beginning of this year, the team went through two interim coaches, Hwang Sun-hong and Kim Do-hoon. Following the resignation of Jung Hae-sung, the chairman of the Strongman Committee, Lee Im-saeng, then technical director, appointed Hong Myung-bog as the national team coach on behalf of the KFA, which sparked controversy. It is understood that the review process for Hong Myung-bog’s appointment was not thorough, leading to allegations of favoritism.

When questioned, Hong Myung-bog responded, “I accepted the position as head coach of the South Korean national team because the Power Strengthening Committee ranked my comprehensive score first among all candidates. I learned this from Commissioner Lee Im-saeng. If I had been ranked second, I would not have accepted this position.”

He then denied any favoritism in the selection process, adding, “I never said I wanted to coach the national team. Based on my previous experiences, I do not believe it was unfair or that there was any favoritism.”