Police investigating alleged irregularities in the appointment of former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo left the case dormant for over nine months despite an internal oversight body's recommendation for a swift investigation. Although the case was recently transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), police are facing mounting criticism that the investigation came too late, after public and political pressure intensified following the national team’s disappointing World Cup result. On Sept. 23 last year, the SMPA instructed Jongno Police Station to expedite its investigation into a complaint accusing Lee Lim-saeng, the former technical director of the Korea Football Association (KFA), of obstruction of business. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a citizen in July 2024, alleging that Lee violated the KFA's bylaws and national team operating regulations during the appointment of Hong as national team head coach. After police repeatedly delayed a decision, the complainant sought an investigative review, a procedure that examines whether an investigation