JTBC report raises questions over Hong Myung-bo's corporate card spending during Korea tenure
South Korea national team head coach Hong Myung-bo spent more than one-third of his corporate card expenses near his residence during his tenure, according to a report by JTBC.
The broadcaster reported that it had obtained records detailing Hong's corporate card transactions over the past two years, covering the period from August 2024 until recently.
According to the report, Hong spent a total of 37.42 million won using the Korea Football Association (KFA) corporate card during his time as national team head coach. Of that amount, 14.08 million won (approximately 37%) was reportedly spent in Bundang District, Seongnam, where Hong resides.
The transactions included 2.5 million won at a Korean beef restaurant and 2.52 million won at a Chinese restaurant. JTBC also reported that 3.75 million won was spent on weekends and public holidays, including Children's Day.
The report noted that the KFA's internal guidelines generally prohibit the use of corporate cards near an employee's residence or on holidays unless there are unavoidable business reasons. In such cases, users are required to provide objective evidence, such as proof of a business trip, or submit a written explanation if supporting documentation is unavailable.
According to JTBC, Hong did not submit a separate written explanation for the transactions in question.
Responding to the report, the KFA said the spending was related to work, explaining that several members of Hong's coaching staff also lived in Bundang and that the meals were understood to have been business-related.
The association acknowledged that Hong had not filed a separate explanatory statement but said he had instead submitted detailed information regarding the amount spent and the number of attendees. The KFA added that its accounting department reviewed the expenses on a monthly basis and concluded there were no issues with the transactions.
Neither Hong nor the KFA has indicated that any of the reported expenditures violated financial regulations or were used for personal purposes.
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