The Korea Football Association (KFA) has explained the recent “perjury controversy” that has arisen over the comments of its technical director Lee Im-saeng (53).
Lee was asked by Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Gye-won (58), “Who accompanied coach Hong Myung-bo during the interview process?” during a parliamentary questioning session on March 24.
“It was just me and Coach Hong,” Lee replied. This sparked a “perjury controversy” in the soccer-related online community. Lee did not meet with Hong Myung-bo alone, but was reportedly accompanied by Choi Young-il, 58, vice president of the 토토사이트 Korean Football Association.
“During the process of Director Lee’s request for a negotiation meeting with Coach Hong Myung-bo, Coach Hong continuously conveyed his intention to meet with Director Lee, and based on the outcome of the 10th Power Enhancement Committee meeting, it was imperative for Director Lee and Coach Hong to meet,” the KFA said.
“Vice Chairman Choi Young-il, who is familiar with Hong from his time as KFA Executive Director, arrived at the site as an association official to arrange the meeting. It is common for association staff or executives to accompany the negotiators during negotiations,” he said, referring to the case of Hiddink in the past, when Technical Committee Chairman Lee Yong-soo and President Ga Sam-hyun negotiated with Hiddink.
The KFA said, “At the request of Vice Chairman Choi Young-il, Lee and Hong began their negotiation meeting. Normally, director negotiations are held in hotels or cafes where there are not many people in the public. In this case, the meeting was held at an acquaintance’s bakery cafe near Hong’s home, considering that there was no open venue due to the late hour.”
“Director Lee and Coach Hong conducted the interview regarding the appointment of the national team coach, and during this process, Vice Chairman Choi did not attend the negotiation meeting,” the KFA claimed.
“Vice Chairman Choi then persuaded and encouraged Hong to take up the position of national team coach and asked for time to think about it, including meeting with Lee, sharing his thoughts and being persuaded by Choi,” the KFA added. ‘Hong then conveyed his intention to accept the position conditionally,’ the KFA explained.