Son Heung-min spared National Assembly hearing after LAFC star’s schedule forces subpoena withdrawal

Son Heung-min’s subpoena scrapped after LAFC schedule clash

Son Heung-min will not appear before South Korea’s National Assembly on July 22 after lawmakers withdrew his subpoena. The move follows fierce criticism over the timing of the hearing, which clashed with the Tottenham Hotspur striker’s LAFC fixtures.

What happened?

The National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee planned a hearing at 10 a.m. on July 22 with 13 witnesses and 10 reference witnesses. Among them were Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, who were set to testify about Korea Football Association (KFA) affairs.

But Democratic Party lawmaker Lim O-gyeong pulled their names after backlash over the tight schedule. Son is due to play in the LA Derby on July 18 and faces Real Salt Lake on July 23. Calling him to appear on July 22-just one day after the derby-sparked outrage.

Why it matters for Son Heung-min

Football commentator Park Moon-sung slammed the original plan on his YouTube channel. “Get a grip. Who came up with this?” he said. “There’s simply no way they can appear.” Park pointed to Son’s packed calendar and questioned the hearing’s purpose.

“Without even checking the facts, what exactly are you asking Son Heung-min to do?” Park added. “This is why it looks like nothing more than a show.” He warned the hearing would become a joke if it centered on Son’s absence.

What comes next?

Lim O-gyeong said she withdrew the subpoenas to prioritize meaningful reform. “Reform that does not reflect the voices of players on the ground is meaningless,” she stated. The goal was to hear from active players who’ve experienced the KFA, national team and overseas systems firsthand.

Park Moon-sung agreed the withdrawal was “the right decision.” On social media, he wrote: “Well done. Thank you all. I’m grateful.” The hearing’s focus now shifts to other witnesses and the core issues at hand.

*Reporting by YG Moon, Herald Business*