Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu listens to questions from lawmakers while attending a National Assembly general meeting in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Chung Mong-gyu, the embattled head of the Korea Football Association (KFA) and HDC Group, is facing criticism for offering insincere apologies regarding the association's questionable administrative process in hiring the head coach of the men's national football team.

Public outcry against the scandal-ridden KFA president shows no signs of abating after he was seen evading questions about his intent to extend his term at the sports body at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Given that his reputation as a businessman was also tainted following a series of safety accidents involving HDC Group, public sentiment is ever worsening against Chung, affecting the construction conglomerate's brand image as well.

During the Assembly meeting, Chung was grilled by multiple lawmakers on the latest scandal, but he appeared to be unflappable throughout the 10-hour-long questioning session. He underscored that there were not any illegal procedures that occurred while appointing Hong Myung-bo as the men's national football team head coach.

"I will make a decision (on whether to extend my term) after taking into careful consideration the development of the national football team," Chung told lawmakers, declining to confirm his possible resignation from the post.

He also sparked controversy by stating that "history will judge in the end," which suggests his dissatisfaction with the strong public backlash he received.

Chung took office as the president of the football governing body here in 2013 and extended his term three times. His current term ends in January.

Fans hold a hand sign that says KFA President Chung Mong-gyu should step down from his post during the Korean national football team's World Cup qualifying match against Thailand in Seoul, March 21. Yonhap

In response to the increasing criticism from football fans and the public, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon stated that the authority "will never grant approval" for an extension of his term in the top position.

The sports minister also urged the KFA to go through a fair hiring process again for the position of the national football team head coach.

"If the association took unfair measures in the hiring of the coach, the KFA should carry out the process again in a more fair manner, so the public and fans can be convinced," Yu said in an interview.

Chung has been embroiled in a continuous series of controversies during his time leading HDC Hyundai Development Company, the flagship division of HDC Group. From 2021 to 2022, the company faced intense criticism after two buildings it was involved in constructing and demolishing in Gwangju collapsed consecutively within a year, resulting in the deaths of 15 people.

Hit by mounting public anger over the firm's weak safety record, Chung decided to step down as the chairman of the construction firm but has been maintaining his position as the group's chair.

Police have also launched an investigation into Chung for his alleged intervention in the process of hiring the men's national football team head coach.

Earlier, a local civic group reported Chung to the police for an alleged breach of trust in determining Hong's salary without thoroughly reviewing the details and holding enough discussions within the KFA. The People's Welfare Countermeasure Committee also insisted the KFA and Chung made a unilateral and forceful decision when deciding to hire Hong and his predecessor Jurgen Klinsmann.