South Korea head coach Hong Myung-Bo has resigned less than 24 hours after the nation’s early exit from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed, triggering a political and sporting backlash that has now escalated into a government-ordered investigation.
Hong announced his decision on Sunday in Guadalajara, where the team had remained following the conclusion of their Group A campaign. South Korea finished third with one win and two defeats, and were eliminated after failing to qualify as one of the best-performing third-placed teams.
Reading from a prepared statement and declining to take questions, Hong said: “First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone who loves Korean football and has always supported our national team. Today, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Korea Republic national football team.
“Accepting the role of national team head coach was never an easy decision for me. But from the moment I chose to take on the position, I never considered any other reasons or excuses. I believed that my sole duty was to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to me to the very end.
“Over the past two years, I have constantly asked myself the same question: ‘Is this the right decision for Korean football?’ Whether making important decisions for the national team, selecting players, preparing training sessions, or leading the team in matches, I never let go of that question.
“I cannot say that every decision I made was always the correct one. But I can say that the standard by which I made every decision was always what I believed to be best for Korean football.”
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South Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Czechia but suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and South Africa, sealing their fate. The disappointing finish marked a stark contrast to their 2022 World Cup run, where they advanced to the knockout stage.
“I believe that the position of head coach is one in which responsibility is so great that no explanation is necessary when the results fall short,” Hong added. “That is why I stand before you today not to offer explanations, but to accept responsibility. We were unable to achieve the results that the Korean people expected from us at this World Cup. That responsibility rests entirely with me as the head coach.”
The fallout has extended beyond the pitch. President Lee Jae Myung issued a scathing public rebuke, criticizing both Hong’s leadership and the broader national team structure, while calling for a full investigation into the program.
“As a former honorary professional football club chairman and, at heart, a member of the Red Devils, I feel not just surprise but deep bewilderment at this unexpected result,” he said.
“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,” the president said.
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Lee doubled down in a separate statement, writing: “I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome, I am utterly baffled.
“Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions are everything. When ‘us versus them’ is prioritised over competence, and an incompetent person is selected as a leader, the outcome is as clear as day.”
The president has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct a comprehensive probe into both the team’s World Cup performance and the process behind Hong’s 2024 appointment, which had already been mired in allegations of favouritism.
“The failure to qualify… which has left the public feeling disheartened, appears to be the result of organisational and personnel failures,” Lee said.
“I ask that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism thoroughly investigate the exact circumstances of this incident, analyze its causes, and develop measures to prevent recurrence and ensure improvement.”
Public frustration has been swift and visible. A petition calling for Hong’s dismissal gained enough signatures for official review within days, while viral social media posts showed businesses symbolically banning the coach from their premises.
Hong’s departure marks his second unsuccessful stint in charge of the national team, having also stepped down after South Korea’s group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup. His reappointment in 2024 had been controversial, with critics pointing to a lack of transparency in the hiring process.
On the pitch, Hong’s decisions also came under scrutiny, particularly his choice to bench captain Son Heung-min in the decisive defeat to South Africa — a move he later admitted he would reconsider.
With the national team now in disarray, attention shifts to both the government-led investigation and the Korea Football Association’s next steps, as pressure mounts to rebuild credibility ahead of future international competitions.
