Korea Football Park in Ipjang-myeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. [Yonhap]
Korea Football Park in Ipjang-myeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. [Yonhap]

Police investigating the legality of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo's appointment said Monday they would also consider opening a probe into the Korea Football Association's allegations of providing sexual entertainment to referees roughly 15 years ago.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said at a regular briefing Monday that if police launch an investigation into the KFA's referee sexual entertainment case, they would review the matter at that time, adding that no investigation had yet begun.

Police have not formally placed the case under investigation and said they would examine what charges could apply and whether the legal requirements for an investigation are met if they do proceed.

The official said there appeared to be a need to review prosecution requirements and other conditions, adding that details — including the statute of limitations — had not yet been confirmed.

Given that the alleged incidents occurred 15 years ago, the statute of limitations is expected to be the decisive factor in whether an investigation is possible. Under current law, only serious crimes typically carry a statute of limitations exceeding 15 years. Even if the sexual entertainment allegations are substantiated, prosecution would be barred if the statute of limitations has already expired.

The controversy has grown after it recently came to light that a 2016 audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found the KFA had provided sexual entertainment to more than 10 foreign referees and match officials across seven matches — three World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches and four friendlies held in 2011 and 2012.

Possible charges being discussed include breach of trust and violations of the Act on the Punishment of Arrangement of Commercial Sex Acts, but any prosecution or investigation could be limited if the statute of limitations has already run out.

Police are currently focused on the investigation into Hong's appointment, directing their efforts at determining whether the KFA's decision-making process — from the national team enhancement committee to the board of directors — was lawful. In recent weeks, police summoned a series of football officials who served on the enhancement committee at the time, and also questioned the accused, including Hong and former KFA technical director Lee Im-saeng.

On Thursday, police conducted a wide-ranging search and seizure of KFA offices and other locations, and are reported to have secured former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu's mobile phone in the process.

The official said the procedural materials obtained through the search and seizure were significant. On allegations that Chung had replaced his mobile phone, the official said police would investigate that matter thoroughly along with other relevant issues.


betterj@heraldcorp.com