Police investigating whether there was improper interference in the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the national football team said nine related complaints have been filed, and that the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division is currently handling the case as a merged investigation.
A National Police Agency official said at a press briefing held Friday morning at the agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, that eight complaints related to former coach Hong had been filed with the Jongno Police Station, with one additional complaint filed with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 2nd of this month. The official added that the Seoul agency's Financial Crime Investigation Unit is currently in charge of the investigation.
Responding to criticism that the investigation had been delayed, the National Police Agency chief said, "We will work to reach a conclusion as quickly and swiftly as possible."
Regarding suspicions that the investigation was delayed despite the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's investigation review committee having instructed the Jongno Police Station, which handled the related complaints, to process the case promptly, he explained, "There are cases where criminal, civil and administrative litigation proceed together." He added, "If something is already proceeding first, we refer to that case, so there are instances where we wait for what is proceeding first." The official said this case also involves some such matters.
Earlier, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul said on the 1st of this month that it had transferred the complaint cases involving the Korea Football Association to the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division. The Jongno Police Station explained the reason for the transfer as "taking into account the significance of the matter."
