Post by : Badri Ariffin

Former South Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo told lawmakers on Thursday, July 30, that he accepts complete responsibility for the country's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Hong appeared before the South Korean parliament's Sports and Culture Committee during a hearing examining the actions of the Korea Football Association (KFA). The session took place after he resigned following South Korea's elimination from the tournament.

Hong Says Results Are His Responsibility

Speaking during the hearing, Hong acknowledged that the team's performance did not meet expectations and said the responsibility rested with him as head coach.

"I was the head coach, and that's a position that is ultimately judged by results," Hong said.

He added that because South Korea failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 48-team FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, he accepted full responsibility for the outcome.

South Korea Eliminated After South Africa Defeat

South Korea's World Cup campaign ended after a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the group stage. The team needed only a draw in the match to qualify for the knockout rounds, making the loss a major disappointment.

Hong, who represented South Korea as a defender during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, faced strong criticism from football fans, analysts, and politicians after the team's exit.

When he returned home, supporters jeered him at the airport over his decision to leave experienced captain Son Heung-min on the bench for the decisive match against South Africa.

President Criticises Football Leadership

Following the World Cup disappointment, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung criticised the leadership of the country's football system.

In a public statement, the president blamed the failure on what he described as "incompetent people" being promoted into leadership positions. Although he did not mention Hong by name, he referred to concerns about "loyalty and factionalism" influencing appointments within football administration.

Hong Denies Receiving Preferential Treatment

During the parliamentary hearing, lawmakers questioned Hong over claims that he received favourable treatment during his appointment as national team coach in 2024.

The allegations suggested that KFA recruiters travelled to his neighbourhood to conduct interviews that lacked transparency.

Hong rejected the claims, telling lawmakers that he believed the proper recruitment procedures had been followed. He also said he had never requested any special treatment, favours, or benefits during the selection process.

Salary Questions Raised in Parliament

Lawmakers also questioned reports claiming Hong received an annual salary of 3.8 billion won (approximately US$2.6 million), an amount reported to be among the highest paid to national team coaches.

Hong responded that the reported figure was incorrect but declined to reveal the actual amount of his salary.

High Expectations End in Disappointment

South Korean media had described the national squad as a "golden generation" before the tournament, raising expectations for a deep World Cup run.

The team included several internationally recognised players, including former Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in.

Despite those expectations, South Korea was unable to advance beyond the group stage, leading to Hong's resignation and continued scrutiny of the Korea Football Association.

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