{
  "id": 9086196,
  "title": "Ex-nat'l football body chief referred to prosecution over ex-coach appointment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ex-natl-football-body-chief-referred-to-prosecution-over-ex-coach-9086196",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T05:17:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260922/ex-natl-football-body-chief-referred-to-prosecution-over-ex-coach-appointment"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Korea Football Association (KFA) chief Chung Mong-gyu has been referred to the prosecution over questionable actions in the selection of former men's national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, police announced on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege that Chung obstructed business by meddling in the head coach nomination process to secure Hong's appointment in July 2024, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The investigation suggests Chung also manipulated circumstances to make the appointment seem to follow proper procedures. Hong's appointment faced widespread public criticism due to concerns over transparency and alleged procedural irregularities. The inquiry, which commenced shortly after Hong's appointment, has recently received renewed focus following South Korea's elimination from the group stage of this year's World Cup. Notably, Hong was not charged with any offenses due to insufficient evidence proving his involvement in the appointment process. Both Hong and Chung resigned from their positions following South Korea's World Cup elimination.",
  "summary": "Chung Mong-gyu, former chief of the Korea Football Association (KFA), has been referred to the prosecution over alleged irregularities in the appointment of former men's national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, police said Tuesday. Chung faces charges of obstruction of business for allegedly interfering in the head coach nomination process to get Hong appointed in July 2024, according to the Seoul…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Ex-nat'l football body chief referred to prosecution over ex-coach appointment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ex-natl-football-body-chief-referred-to-prosecution-over-ex-coach",
        "published": "2026-09-22T03:36:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Ex-nat'l football body chief referred to prosecution over ex-coach appointment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ex-natl-football-body-chief-referred-to-prosecution-over-ex-coach-9084110",
        "published": "2026-09-22T05:02:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}