The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch a special audit of the Korea Football Association.
Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young announced via social media Saturday: "To clarify public suspicions over where the cause of Korean football's catastrophic failure originated and to determine the exact facts, the ministry will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association."
He added, "We will form an investigation committee that includes outside experts to find the causes of the incompetence, negligence and complacency the football association has shown, and if there were irregularities, misconduct or illegal acts in the process, we will sternly hold those responsible accountable."
Choi also stressed, "I have heard that in some quarters there are concerns that the football association's new chairman must be elected in the same manner as before, in accordance with the existing bylaws. But if they understand the desperate longing of the entire nation, now mired in dismay, they will not be able to do so."
Earlier, the South Korean national football team led by manager Hong Myung-bo finished third in Group A in the tournament's group stage with one win and two losses for three points, and was eliminated after failing to secure a ticket to the round of 32 awarded to the top eight third-place teams across the groups.
Hong Myung-bo held a press conference Saturday Korea time at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, the team's base camp, and said, "I am stepping down from the post of South Korean national football team manager."
To clarify public suspicions over where the cause of Korean football's catastrophic failure originated and to determine the exact facts, the ministry will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association. And we will form an investigation committee that includes outside experts to find the causes of the incompetence, negligence and complacency the football association has shown, and if there were irregularities, misconduct or illegal acts in the process, we will sternly hold those responsible accountable.
Along with this, based on the investigated content, we will publish a white paper and disclose it transparently to the public, so that this becomes a painful lesson to ensure such a thing never happens again, and a turning point that serves as a stepping stone for our football to advance into the future. The ministry will open a "reporting and tip-off channel" to help thoroughly carry out the special audit and investigation activities, and to gather the various suspicions and voices raised by the public.
In addition, I have heard that in some quarters there are concerns that the football association's new chairman must be elected in the same manner as before, in accordance with the existing bylaws. But if they understand the desperate longing of the entire nation, now mired in dismay, they will not be able to do so. We can find a way if we look for one. We will seek the wisdom and prudent judgment of the football community.
