In a bold statement, referees from South Korea's K-League have resolved to take personal responsibility for enhancing their officiating standards in the lead-up to the new season. The Korean Football Association (KFA) released a video titled 'Referees, Let’s Wake Up! Confessions of Referees Ahead of the New Season' on their YouTube channel, featuring interviews conducted during the winter training camp held in Gangjin, South Korea, where the referees shared their aspirations and challenges. Notably, seasoned referee Kim Jong-hyuk humorously introduced himself while acknowledging the struggles faced in the past season, particularly emphasizing the difficulties of last year compared to his long career.

Referee Ko Hyung-jin, who has been officiating for 27 years, candidly reflected on the challenges he has encountered, expressing a desire to make substantial improvements. He emphasized the importance of delivering the best decisions in the league, underlining their commitment to rigorous training and better performance in the upcoming season. Similarly, Jeong Dong-sik shared his experiences, revealing the emotional toll and pressures of maintaining objectivity amidst various external influences, recognizing the inherent difficulties of the refereeing profession.

The referees collectively acknowledged that solutions require a united effort, with Kim Jong-hyuk pointing out that the lack of proper training has contributed to the public's mistrust in their decisions. He noted that, while some international referees receive comprehensive training, K-League referees often feel overwhelmed by the expectations set by FIFA, indicating a need for more structured support. The KFA and AFC are looking to bolster referee support systems to ensure that dedicated referees can perform at their best, with calls for enhanced training and resources to combat the pressing issues within officiating, reflecting a commitment to restoring confidence in the league's officiating process.