President Lee Jae Myung demands investigation into national team’s disappointing performance and hiring process
Category: Sports
Less than 24 hours after South Korea's elimination from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed, head coach Hong Myung-Bo (홍명보) announced his resignation on June 28, 2026. This decision followed a harsh condemnation from the country's president, Lee Jae Myung (이재명), who labeled Hong as "incapable" and called for a comprehensive review of the national team program. The announcement was made in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the team had been based during the tournament.
South Korea finished third in Group A with one win and two losses, securing only three points. They had hoped to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the best-performing third-placed teams, but their aspirations ended on June 27, 2026, when results from other matches eliminated them from contention.
In their group stage matches, South Korea managed to defeat Czechia 2-1 but fell short against Mexico and South Africa, losing both matches 1-0. President Lee expressed his bewilderment at the team's performance, stating, "I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome — I am utterly baffled." He criticized the South Korean Football Association's (KFA) appointment of Hong, arguing that “competence” had not been prioritized in the selection process.
In response to the disappointing results, President Lee called for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to investigate the national team's World Cup performance and the circumstances surrounding Hong's hiring. He highlighted the substantial taxpayer funds invested in the team's participation, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public for the deep disappointment caused by this absurd situation. We will swiftly push forward with reforms to sports administration to prevent such failures in the future."
Hong, who had previously coached South Korea during the 2014 World Cup, took full responsibility for the team's lackluster performance. In a statement, he said: "To all of the Korean people who love and support our national team, I would like to genuinely apologize. Today, I’d like to announce that I will step down as the national team head coach. As the head coach, no explanation can supersede the ultimate result. I could not bring the result that our people had expected. All responsibilities are with me."
His resignation marks the second time he has stepped down following a disappointing World Cup campaign. In 2014, South Korea also failed to advance past the group stage, leading to a tumultuous period for the national team. President Lee's comments suggest a growing frustration with the KFA's management and oversight of the national team, noting that “once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything.” He emphasized that if loyalty and factionalism take precedence over competence, the outcomes will be predictable.
The fallout from South Korea's World Cup exit has been severe, with public sentiment turning against Hong. Reports indicate that some businesses in South Korea have even displayed signs banning Hong from their premises. A petition to dismiss him gained traction on the National Assembly's website, quickly accumulating the signatures needed for an initial review.
Hong's tenure had begun with promise; he led South Korea through an unbeaten qualification campaign for the World Cup. Yet, following their early exit, the team is left to contend with the fallout and a call for reform in how national team coaches are appointed. As South Korea looks to rebuild, President Lee's insistence on accountability and transparency in the hiring process may lead to changes within the KFA.
As the national team prepares for future competitions, including the upcoming Asian Cup, the focus will now shift to how the KFA responds to this crisis and whether they can restore faith in their leadership and direction.