Corporate Cards and Expenses
A 2016 audit conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism uncovered that the Korea Football Association (KFA) spent corporate funds on sexual entertainment for foreign referees. This occurred between March 2011 and March 2012 during a period when international matches were being held in South Korea. The KFA used company-issued credit cards to pay for visits to massage parlors and adult establishments in Seoul and other cities where matches took place.
Matches and Practices
The international matches in question were qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. These were high-profile events, and the KFA was under pressure to ensure smooth operations for visiting officials. Former KFA officials confirmed to JTBC that the practice of accommodating referees who requested adult entertainment was widespread at the time. One former executive even noted that similar or worse activities were reported in other countries.
According to a current KFA official, it is challenging to verify how corporate cards were used so long ago. However, the KFA now has strict internal policies in place to prevent such occurrences. The audit findings came to light just a few hours after police conducted a raid at the KFA's headquarters in Cheonan, a city about 90 kilometers south of Seoul. This was part of a broader investigation into how the KFA hired former national team coach Hong Myung-bo in 2024. Investigators were also searching the KFA House in central Seoul, seeking evidence of potential irregularities, including possible interference or obstruction by senior officials such as former president Chung Mong-gyu. The investigation, which began shortly after Hong’s appointment, had stalled for nearly two years before regaining momentum following South Korea’s group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hong Myung-bo and Chung Mong-gyu both stepped down after the tournament and later testified before lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing on July 30, where officials were questioned over governance issues and the national team’s performance. Hong said, “When I received the offer, I thought they had all taken the proper steps. People may think things were not so transparent, but I never once asked for any special treatment.” South Korea’s sports ministry previously found that the KFA breached its own hiring procedures in 2024, noting that an informal meeting between Hong and former technical director Lee Lim-saeng did not qualify as a formal interview. However, the ministry said there was no evidence of illegal conduct. They were also summoned to testify before a parliamentary session on July 30, where they faced intense questioning about the KFA's management and the reasons for the team's poor performance in the tournament. The investigation and parliamentary session underscore the growing public concern over the leadership and operations of the country's football governing body. The KFA has since apologized for the issues and controversies surrounding the association, vowing sweeping reforms to strengthen transparency and restore integrity within the organization.
