The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a public apology after facing multiple controversies, including accusations of an unfair head coach appointment process and media reports alleging that the association arranged sexual services for foreign referees during their visits to South Korea in 2011 and 2012.
The KFA sincerely apologized for the disappointment and concern caused by various issues related to the association following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, acknowledging that the organization is in a deeply regrettable situation and may have neglected its fundamental responsibilities.
The latest case arose after South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported that the KFA had repeatedly provided inappropriate hospitality to foreign referees between March 2011 and March 2012, including periods when referees traveled to South Korea to officiate World Cup qualifiers and the 2012 London Olympic qualifiers.
JTBC cited a 2016 investigation by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which found that the KFA provided inappropriate hospitality to foreign referees on seven occasions, some involving visits to massage parlors where expenses included sexual services.
The KFA did not deny these incidents but stated that many personnel within the association were previously unaware of them. The association firmly confirmed that such behavior, including the use of organizational credit cards for these purposes, no longer occurs.
These allegations have added pressure on the KFA, which is also under investigation regarding the appointment of Hong Myung-bo, the 57-year-old former South Korean national team defender, as the national team head coach in 2024.
Seoul police raided the KFA offices on 6 August to investigate the appointment process of Hong amid suspicions of non-transparency. Previously, the association spent several months considering foreign candidates before abruptly ending the process and selecting Hong after only a brief meeting.
On 30 July, members of the South Korean National Assembly summoned Hong, along with former and current KFA officials, to provide testimony to the parliamentary committee regarding the appointment process and Hong's annual salary.
The issue regained intense attention after the South Korean national team delivered disappointing results at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, exiting at the group stage despite high expectations as a "golden generation" led by captain Son Heung-min.
Hong resigned immediately after South Korea's upset 0-1 loss to South Africa, which eliminated the team from the knockout stages. However, his resignation did not quell fan dissatisfaction and instead intensified questions about his appointment as head coach.
The KFA stated it will urgently review the various problems and work to restore public trust after facing severe pressure over internal management issues and allegations related to past incidents.