Corporate Card Controversy: National Coach's Disputed Spending Habits Examined

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Korean Reading Practice

Corporate Card Controversy: National Coach's Disputed Spending Habits Examined

Date: July 29, 2026

Introduction

This article discusses the use of a corporate card by Hong Myung-bo (홍명보), a former coach of the Korean national football team, during his employment from July 2024 to May 2025. The Korean Football Association has specific rules about where and when corporate cards can be used, and this story examines charges made under those guidelines. Understanding how official institutions in Korea manage corporate spending is an important part of Korean workplace culture.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
협회 hyeoaphoe association 축구 협회는 규칙을 만들어요.The football association makes rules.
카드 kadeu card 회사 카드로 밥을 먹었어요.I ate with the company card.
사용하다 sayonghada to use 카드를 사용했어요.I used the card.
금액 geummaek amount of money 금액이 많아요.The amount is large.
jip house, residence 집 근처에서 밥을 먹었어요.I ate near my house.
규칙 gyuchiK rule 규칙을 지켜야 해요.We must follow the rules.
휴일 hyuil holiday 휴일에 일해요.I work on holidays.
설명하다 seolmyeonghada to explain 선생님이 설명했어요.The teacher explained.
영수증 yeongsujung receipt 영수증을 받았어요.I received a receipt.
회의 hoeuui meeting 회의실에서 회의를 해요.We have a meeting in the meeting room.
목적 mokjeok purpose 업무 목적으로 사용해요.I use it for work purposes.
확인하다 hwakinhada to verify, to check 협회가 확인했어요.The association verified it.

Reading Text

홍명보는 2024년 7월부터 2025년 5월까지 축구 협회 카드를 사용했어요.

Hong Myung-bo used the football association's corporate card from July 2024 to May 2025.

그 기간에 총 37.42백만 원 중에서 약 14.06백만 원을 경기도 성남시 분당구 근처에서 사용했어요.

During that period, he used approximately 14.06 million won out of a total of 37.42 million won at establishments near Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province.

분당구 근처의 호텔, 소고기 음식점, 그리고 해장국 음식점에서 카드로 돈을 썼어요.

He spent money with the card at hotels, Korean beef restaurants, and hangover soup restaurants near his residence in Bundang-gu.

축구 협회 규칙에 따르면, 회사 카드는 휴일에 사용할 수 없고 집 근처에서도 사용할 수 없어요.

According to football association rules, the corporate card cannot be used on holidays or near one's residence.

홍명보는 어린이날, 현충일, 그리고 광복절을 포함해서 휴일에 31번 카드를 사용했어요.

Hong Myung-bo used the card 31 times on public holidays including Children's Day, Memorial Day, and Liberation Day.

축구 협회는 홍명보가 집 근처 사용에 대해 따로 설명을 보내지 않았다고 말했어요.

The Korean Football Association stated that Hong Myung-bo did not send a separate written explanation regarding charges near his residence.

하지만 협회는 영수증에 사람 정보가 있었고 매달 사용을 확인했다고 했어요.

However, the association noted that the receipts included participant information and monthly usage was reviewed.

홍명보는 자신이 축구 협회 규칙에 따라 카드를 사용했다고 설명했어요.

Hong Myung-bo explained that he used the card in accordance with football association regulations.

그리고 외국인 코치들도 분당구에서 살았고, 코치 팀은 분당구에서 회의를 했다고 말했어요.

He also stated that foreign coaches on the national team resided in Bundang-gu and that the coaching staff used shared office space there for meetings and business purposes.

Grammar Points

부터 ~ 까지 from ~ to

Used to express a range from a starting point to an ending point. 부터 means 'from' and 까지 means 'until/to'.

📖 홍명보는 2024년 7월부터 2025년 5월까지 축구 협회 카드를 사용했어요. Hong Myung-bo used the football association card from July 2024 to May 2025.

✏️ 저는 월요일부터 금요일까지 학교에 가요. I go to school from Monday to Friday.

-(으)ㄹ 수 없다 cannot

Expresses inability or impossibility. Attach -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 to a verb stem to mean 'cannot do something'.

📖 축구 협회 규칙에 따르면, 회사 카드는 휴일에 사용할 수 없고 집 근처에서도 사용할 수 없어요. According to the football association rules, the company card cannot be used on holidays and also cannot be used near home.

✏️ 저는 매운 음식을 먹을 수 없어요. I cannot eat spicy food.

Cultural Notes

In Korea, corporate card usage is a formal matter governed by strict institutional guidelines, reflecting the country's emphasis on transparent financial management and accountability in official organizations. The Korean Football Association, like many Korean companies and government agencies, requires detailed documentation and justification for corporate spending, especially for expenses that fall outside normal business activities. Public holidays in Korea—such as Children's Day (어린이날 on May 5), Memorial Day (현충일 on June 6), and Liberation Day (광복절 on August 15)—are significant national observances, and their mention in this context underscores how Korean institutions carefully track spending even during times when most people are not working.

Topics are inspired by current events in Korea. All lessons are original learning content written by Learn Korean Today.
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What was the total amount of corporate card charges, and how much was used near Hong Myung-bo's residence?

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Q2

According to the football association rules, in which two types of places is corporate card use restricted?

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Q3

How many times did Hong Myung-bo use the corporate card on public holidays?

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Q4

Did Hong Myung-bo send a written explanation to the football association about charges near his residence?

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Q5

What reason did Hong Myung-bo give for using the corporate card in Bundang-gu?

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