The Korea Football Association (KFA) faced significant outrage when the South Korean national team was eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage, despite high hopes placed on the “golden generation” led by Son Heung-min.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned immediately after the unexpected loss to South Africa, which blocked the team from advancing further in the tournament held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
However, his resignation did not lessen public outrage over the disappointing performance and only fueled further doubts about how H. Myung-bo was appointed.
Last week, local media revealed that the KFA provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees in 2011 and 2012. This information is based on a 2016 government audit that had not been previously disclosed.
“We sincerely apologize for the great disappointment and concern caused by various controversies surrounding the association after the 2026 World Cup,” the KFA stated in a message posted on its website on Saturday.
Facing increasing criticism, the KFA said it was in a “truly regrettable situation” and admitted that it had “lost sight of its purpose.”
The apology came after a police raid on the KFA headquarters, conducted as part of an investigation into the appointment of former defender, 57-year-old H. Myung-bo, who played in the 2002 World Cup at home.
The KFA had previously been criticized for the appointment of H. Myung-bo in 2024, but attention grew even more after the team failed to qualify for the top 32.
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South Korean parliamentarians summoned H. Myung-bo and former and current KFA officials to a parliamentary hearing on July 30, during which questions were asked about the selection process and the coach’s annual salary.
Later, allegations arose regarding sexual services provided to foreign referees in 2011–2012.
A 2016 government audit released by local broadcaster JTBC found that the KFA provided “inappropriate hospitality” eight times to foreign referees and officials from the Chinese Football Association.
Social media users then began circulating a list of foreign referees who officiated South Korean matches during that period.
In its apology, the KFA stated that many association members “were unaware” of these incidents but did not deny them.
“The association wants to emphasize that such inappropriate actions (…) no longer occur,” the statement said.
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