Politics
Death threats and presidential condemnation: Explaining the anger over South Korea’s World Cup exit
South Korea's national football coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following the team's group-stage exit from the World Cup.
Key takeaways
- Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach of South Korea following their World Cup group-stage exit.
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly apologized and blamed favouritism and cronyism for the team's failure.
- Police are investigating allegations that the KFA president interfered in Hong's appointment.
- An online post threatened to kill Hong Myung-bo upon his return to Incheon International Airport.
South Korea's national football coach Hong Myung-bo has resigned following the team's group-stage exit from the World Cup. His resignation comes amid intense public anger, including death threats and airport protests, as well as condemnation from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who criticized "favouritism and cronyism" in the selection process. Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is investigating allegations that the Korea Football Association president interfered in Hong's controversial 2024 appointment.
In their words
“Even though I am leaving the national team, I am not abandoning Korean football altogether.”
“When favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper”
By the numbers
- 2-1
- South Korea's opening win against the Czech Republic
- 1-0
- South Korea's loss to Mexico in group stage
- #4
- South Korea's finish in the 2002 World Cup
How it unfolded
- Hong Myung-bo captains South Korea to fourth place
- Hong Myung-bo resigns after World Cup group exit
- Hong Myung-bo becomes national team coach again
- South Korea exits World Cup; death threat posted online
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Common questions
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- Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach of South Korea following their World Cup group-stage exit.
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