The Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued an official statement stating that certain audit findings by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOTOT) are not acceptable. The KFA is even considering requesting a review of the audit results. However, the KFA’s lack of clarification or vague explanation of some of the issues is likely to spark further controversy.

In its statement on the 6th, the KFA refuted or clarified each of the issues pointed out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism the previous day, including the selection process for former national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann, current national team coach Hong Myung-bo, and the construction of the football center. “In accordance with the relevant laws, we are considering whether to request a review of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s 파워볼사이트 audit findings and action requests,” it said.

The KFA first responded to the allegations of non-compliance and procedural deficiencies in the appointment process of Klinsmann and Hong Myung-bo, saying it was “difficult to agree.” The KFA said that the Power Enhancement Committee was not excluded or neutralized, and that both Chung’s video interview and Lee’s interview with the technical director were within the scope of their duties.

Regarding the controversy over last year’s amnesty for footballers, the KFA responded that it had not received any relevant guidance after the revision of the Sports Fairness Commission regulations, and that it had already revoked the amnesty, apologized to the public, and revised the regulations. The KFA’s ‘no problem’ coach selection process and footballer amnesty controversy were the main grounds for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to request severe disciplinary action against KFA President Chung Mong-kyu, including suspension.

The KFA responded to the allegations that most of the national team managers and coaches violated the selection process by saying, “It is not in line with reality that the coaching staff is subject to the board of directors. It is necessary to have a realistic understanding of the composition and work of the coaching staff.” The KFA countered that it would review the regulations and change them to fit the reality.

The KFA only responded to the criticisms of the P-level coaching operation, which revealed unfair business practices such as the handling of unsuccessful applicants, by saying, “We will do our best to come up with improvement measures after careful review,” without providing specific explanations.

As for the issue of signing a negative passbook loan contract worth KRW 61.5 billion without the approval of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism during the construction of the soccer center, the company explained that “there were communication problems such as the replacement of officials in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but it was not an intentional and arbitrary exclusion of the approval of the Ministry of Culture.” In response to the demand for the return of 5.6 billion won in fraudulent subsidies for violating the ministry’s policy that office space cannot be installed in mini-stadiums, the KFA came up with a somewhat ridiculous position that the government and the ministry should help.

In response to the KFA’s ‘reconsideration’ stance, a MOCA official said, “If you feel that the audit results are illegal or unfair, you can apply for reconsideration within one month from the date you are notified of the audit results. However, a request does not necessarily mean that a review will be conducted. The decision on whether or not to review is made through internal judgment,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which has been auditing the KFA since July, concluded that a total of 27 violations were identified, and that Chairman Chung Mong-kyu and others should be severely disciplined beyond suspension.

However, it is unclear whether the KFA’s fairness committee, which decides on disciplinary actions, will be able to impose the actual punishment as required by the ministry. “We will use all policy tools at our disposal until the KFA becomes a normal organization capable of fair and transparent decision-making,” an MOCA official warned.