Police Detect Evidence of Jeong Jong-seon Former Chairman Embezzling Training Compensation Funds

Jung Jong-sun, President of the Korea High School Football Federation (Photo by Korea Football Association)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police are investigating suspicions that Jeong Jong-seon (54), former president of the Korea High School Football Federation, who is accused of embezzlement and sexual assault, embezzled training compensation fees paid by overseas clubs in exchange for recruiting domestic players.

According to the police on the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Intelligent Crime Investigation Unit is investigating allegations that Jeong embezzled training compensation fees paid by overseas clubs in exchange for recruiting domestic players during his tenure as the coach of Eonnam High School's football team.

Training compensation is a system regulated by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) that requires professional clubs recruiting youth players who move overseas to pay a certain amount to the players' original schools. The purpose is to provide appropriate compensation to schools that contributed to the players' growth and development.

The police have secured a list of Eonnam High School players who moved overseas and are tracking whether the training compensation was paid and the flow of funds. To clarify the embezzlement suspicions, they have requested international cooperation investigations with Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Jeong, a former national football team player, has been under police investigation since early last year on charges of receiving tens of millions of won from parents under various pretexts such as football team operating expenses during his tenure as Eonnam High School coach. He is also suspected of sexually assaulting parents.

In September last year, the police applied for an arrest warrant against Jeong on charges including embezzlement in the course of duty, violation of the Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and Graft, and forcible molestation, but the court dismissed it, stating that "it is difficult to see that the criminal charges have been sufficiently proven."

However, the court issued an arrest warrant for Park, the football team sponsorship fee manager suspected of embezzling parents' sponsorship funds together with Jeong, stating that "the charges are substantially proven and there is a risk of evidence destruction."

The Korea Football Association expelled Jeong in November last year, recognizing the sexual violence-related charges against him. Jeong denies all related allegations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.