South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigns amid presidential probe call
Coach Hong Myung-bo has stepped down after South Korea's early World Cup elimination, prompting President Lee Jae Myung to order a government investigation into the KFA.
Hong Myung-bo has resigned as head coach of the South Korea national men’s football team following the squad's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His departure, announced on Sunday, 28 June 2026, from the team’s training base in Mexico, follows a group-stage exit that has triggered intense scrutiny from the highest levels of the South Korean government.
The national team entered the tournament with expectations of reaching the knockout stages, bolstered by a roster featuring high-profile players such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Kim Min-jae. Despite an opening 2-1 victory over Czechia, subsequent 1-0 losses to Mexico and South Africa left the team in a precarious position. Their hopes for progression to the Round of 32 were officially extinguished on Saturday, 27 June 2026, after results in other groups—specifically a 3-1 victory for DR Congo over Uzbekistan—left South Korea outside the list of the eight best third-placed finishers.
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Presidential Probe and Criticism
The team's performance drew a sharp and public rebuke from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. In a statement posted on X, President Lee described himself as "utterly baffled" by the outcome, explicitly labeling the campaign a failure of organization and personnel. He went further, characterizing the leadership as "incompetent" and suggesting that the appointment of Hong reflected a systemic problem within the Korea Football Association (KFA).
"Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is as predictable as fire."
Lee Jae Myung, President of South Korea, via X
The president has directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to launch a thorough investigation into the national team program. This probe is intended to examine the circumstances of the early exit, identify causes, and recommend reforms to sports administration. The President emphasized that because the team is supported by significant taxpayer funds and national resources, there is a requirement for greater accountability in how leadership positions are filled and monitored.
A Controversial Tenure
Hong’s resignation concludes a tumultuous second stint as head coach. First appointed to the role in 2024 as a replacement for Juergen Klinsmann, Hong’s return was met with skepticism. At the time of his hiring, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reportedly questioned whether the KFA had adhered to its own regulatory standards, alleging that the selection process lacked the necessary rigor and transparency. The KFA has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding these hiring practices.
During the tournament, Hong faced criticism for his tactical decisions, most notably his choice to bench captain Son Heung-min during the decisive final group match against South Africa. While Hong had previously led the team through an undefeated qualifying campaign, his tournament record remained a point of contention. This exit marks the second time the 57-year-old coach has failed to guide South Korea past the group stage, mirroring his previous tenure in 2014.
Responsibility and Next Steps
In his formal statement, Hong took personal responsibility for the result without inviting questions from the media. "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," he said. Hong noted that he had attempted to make decisions with the long-term health of Korean football in mind, though he acknowledged that not every choice had proven correct.
The fallout from this campaign is expected to be extensive, with the government signaling a move toward mandatory administrative reforms for sports organizations. The following areas are currently under watch:
- Government Investigation: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is expected to review the KFA’s administrative and appointment procedures.
- Structural Reform: The administration has indicated a push for direct election systems within sports organizations to reduce the influence of executive committees.
- Coaching Search: The KFA must now navigate the search for a new head coach while simultaneously addressing public and political pressure regarding its institutional oversight.
South Korea, which has made 11 consecutive appearances in the tournament, will now have to look toward a period of transition as it seeks to regain public trust. For the players, the tournament concluded in disappointment, while the football association faces a period of unprecedented external review.
