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Sports Ministry wins in KFA lawsuit over call to discipline football chief

Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 16:25

Korea Football Administration Chung Mong-gyu speaks at the Korea Football Park in South Chungcheong on April 4. [YONHAP]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's call for heavy disciplinary action against the country's top football official in 2024 was justified, a court ruled Thursday.

The Seoul Administrative Court made the ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Korea Football Association (KFA) seeking to cancel the Sports Ministry's attempt to discipline its chief, Chung Mong-gyu.

The ministry announced the results of its audit of the KFA in November 2024, demanding the suspension of Chung and other senior association officials over the controversial hiring of the men's national team manager and other irregularities.

Chung is also the chairman of the construction firm HDC.

The court said the ministry's request did not appear to be unreasonable or illegal and fell within the scope of its permissible discretion.

It also noted that the KFA is not obligated to unconditionally comply with the ministry's request, and the ministry has no means to directly discipline KFA officials or enforce measures.

The KFA had earlier sought a temporary injunction to suspend the disciplinary request. In February of last year, a court approved the injunction, enabling Chung to win a fourth consecutive term as KFA head.

As the association lost the main lawsuit, however, the validity of the ministry's demand for disciplinary action against Chung has been restored.

Yonhap