How Japanese Media Views South Korea’s Parliament Hearing Culture: From Hong Myung-bo to NewJeans

Japanese media has turned its attention to South Korea’s practice of summoning individuals to parliament following the parliamentary hearing for coach Hong Myung-bo. Kim Myung-wook, a sports journalist of Korean descent working in Japan, analyzed South Korea’s hearing culture in an article titled “Why Was Coach Hong Myung-bo Called to Parliament in South Korea?” He noted that South Korea’s tradition of having political figures directly address sports-related issues may seem unfamiliar to Japanese readers.

Former South Korean Football Association coach Hong Myung-bo and former president Chung Mong-kyu are scheduled to appear at a parliamentary hearing on the 22nd regarding the selection process for the national team. Kim pointed out that from a Japanese reader’s perspective, it might be difficult to understand why politicians would directly handle sports matters.

In South Korea, when high-profile social issues arise, parliament often summons the involved parties to hold them accountable. Kim cited several specific examples to illustrate this practice.

Former baseball team coach Seon Dong-yeol appeared as a witness in a parliamentary audit over the selection process for the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and controversies surrounding military service exemptions. This incident sparked broader debates about whether it is appropriate for parliament to directly judge team performance and player selections.

After the 2024 Paris Olympics, badminton national player An Se-young raised concerns about the South Korean Badminton Association’s management of players, handling of injuries, and team operations. As a result, the Parliament’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee summoned relevant officials to address these issues.

In the entertainment industry, NewJeans member Hanni appeared as an expert witness at a parliamentary audit held by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee in 2024, testifying about harassment and working conditions at her agency.

Kim explained that in South Korea, there is a culture of summoning those involved in highly publicized incidents to provide explanations. Since parliamentary audits and hearings are broadcast live on TV and online, he added, they can also serve as platforms for lawmakers to showcase their political influence.

Some criticized this practice, stating that while holding people accountable is necessary, it often resembles public criticism rather than constructive discussion, and labeled it a “political show.” Others expressed concern that instead of first acknowledging the efforts of those who prepared for the World Cup before discussing what needs improvement, the focus seems to be on immediately identifying and attacking responsible parties.

However, Kim argued that this hearing is not meant to judge Hong Myung-bo personally but rather serves as a test of how political leaders will respond to public demands for reform within the South Korean Football Association. He emphasized that the success of the hearing will depend on addressing the flaws in the coach selection process, improving the association’s decision-making structure, and establishing institutional safeguards to prevent similar controversies from recurring.