Korean Football Association Referees Committee Chairman Moon Jin-hee resigned on August 3, 2026, following intense public backlash and verbal clashes with lawmakers during a National Assembly hearing. The resignation takes immediate effect under KFA rules, leaving the committee under a deputy chairman caretaker system.
Football administration in South Korea plunged into deeper turmoil after the head of the national referees body stepped down in the wake of a parliamentary grilling. Moon Jin-hee submitted his resignation on August 3, 2026, citing personal reasons after days of mounting pressure from football officials, delegates, and political figures.
Parliamentary Clash and Heated Exchanges at the National Assembly
The catalyst for the resignation unfolded four days prior during a National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing held on July 30, 2026. Appearing as a witness to address ongoing controversies within the mt.co.kr, Moon drew immediate scrutiny for his posture and responses.
Lawmakers zeroed in on alleged monopolistic structures within referee evaluations and educational assignments. During the questioning, Cho Kuk Innovation Party lawmaker Kim Jae-won criticized Moon’s demeanor, demanding that he sit up straight and answer respectfully while noting his hand was in his trouser pocket.
The lawmaker is speaking, am I not allowed to talk? Lower your voice then. Moon Jin-hee, Referees Committee Chairman
The exchange escalated when Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Cho Geowon attempted to intervene, prompting Moon to snap back: Do not get involved there, starting from the morning according to reporting by mt.co.kr. The committee room descended into a brief uproar before Committee Chairman Lee Jae-jung intervened to restore order.
Allegations of Cartels and Denied Election Involvement
Beyond his conduct in the hearing room, Moon faced intense questioning regarding alleged interference in association elections. Lawmakers challenged him over claims that a faction centered around him had effectively seized control of referee administration. One lawmaker pointedly asked whether Moon operated as a mafia boss within the refereeing system.
Further friction arose when lawmakers questioned Moon about whether he assisted a specific candidate during the former KFA president’s election despite lacking official status as an election worker. While Moon initially denied the allegations by stating he was merely an unemployed private citizen at the time, reporting highlights that tip-offs and transcripts alleging vote-buying in exchange for referee promotions and match assignments led him to alter his testimony.
Immediate Resignation and Caretaker Transition at the KFA
The fallout from the parliamentary session triggered widespread demands for disciplinary action from regional football associations and convention delegates. Although initial reports on the morning of August 3 indicated Moon had expressed an intention to resign without having formally filed paperwork, MoneyToday reported that he brought forward a scheduled referees evaluation council meeting by a day to finalize his departure.
By Monday afternoon, Moon submitted his formal letter of resignation citing personal reasons. Under the Korean Football Association’s official articles of incorporation, executive resignations take legal effect the moment the document is submitted.
Moon Jin-hee submitted a letter of resignation for personal reasons, and under the articles of incorporation, an executive’s resignation takes effect upon submission. Moving forward, the Referees Committee will be operated under a deputy chairman caretaker system until a new executive body is launched. Korean Football Association
The association confirmed that the Referees Committee will operate under a deputy chairman caretaker system until association leadership structures are fully reorganized.
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