Hong Kong media outlet Hong Kong 01 reported on the 10th that referee bribery allegations in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, where the South Korean national team reached the top 4, have resurfaced in connection with the Korea Football Association's sex entertainment allegations involving foreign referees.

According to the article, allegations emerged that the Korea Football Association provided sex entertainment to approximately 10 foreign referees, including Japanese referees, at World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and international friendly matches held in Korea in 2011-12. Reported by South Korean media outlet JTBC, related contents of this allegation were confirmed in an audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016, but it was not publicly revealed. Following the report, the Japan Football Association (JFA) launched an investigation into the four Japanese referees who officiated matches at the time.

The article reported that in response to these allegations, discussions have resurfaced among major media and internet users about whether South Korea's historic 4th place finish at the 2002 World Cup was due to referee bribery. South Korea defeated powerhouses Italy and Spain in the knockout stage, achieving the first-ever top 4 finish for an Asian team. However, controversies arose in both matches over referees making favorable decisions for South Korea.