Accountability begins, South Korean football may face an "earthquake"

Written by Nan Nan From a 94% advancement probability to eventual elimination, the South Korean team waited three days. For South Koreans who were widely optimistic before the World Cup, this defeat is not a conclusion but could be the beginning of a seismic upheaval.

In the last group match, South Korea took on South Africa needing only a draw to advance, yet they lost 0-1. Over the next three days, all unfavorable events for South Korea's qualification occurred one after another, ultimately leading to their elimination.

Son Heung-min said only a brief statement after the game: "I'm sorry I couldn't provide much help to my teammates on the field." At that time, no one realized this was the start of a major storm in South Korean football.

Six days later, head coach Hong Myung-bo held a resignation press conference in Mexico. He sat down, read a statement, stood up, and left—the entire event lasting about 100 seconds. "I sincerely apologize to the South Korean people. I will resign as national team coach, but my passion for South Korean football has not diminished." Then, without answering any questions, he left the venue. Korean media described his attitude as "extremely arrogant" and "frivolous."

Hong Myung-bo's resignation did not quell the anger in South Korea; instead, it sparked even greater turmoil. Early on June 30, when Hong and nine South Korean players arrived at Incheon Airport, they were met by over 200 furious fans, with shouts and boos echoing everywhere. Besides cursing Hong, the agitated fans also targeted the Korea Football Association (KFA), with some holding signs reading "Completely disband the KFA" and others displaying banners saying "South Korean football is dead."

If the fans' curses, protests, and signs in shops saying "Hong Myung-bo not allowed" represent public sentiment, then President Lee Jae-myung's words reflect government pressure. On the day South Korea was eliminated, Lee criticized the KFA's decision to appoint Hong as head coach on his social media, calling it "absurd." He even stated, "They prioritized 'their own people' over ability, selecting an incompetent leader, and the result is obvious." Lee also ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to investigate Hong's appointment, take measures to prevent similar personnel decision errors, and promised to overhaul the sports management system nationwide.

Lee's directive was quickly acted upon. On July 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Police officially announced an investigation into the process of Hong's appointment by the KFA. According to police sources, since 2024, eight complaints related to Hong's tenure as head coach have been filed: KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and former technical director Lee Lim-saeng were allegedly involved in irregularities during Hong's appointment, suspected of dereliction of duty. The police investigation is not an isolated case but has been merged with the earlier case concerning the appointment of Jurgen Klinsmann as head coach.

In fact, as early as October 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released an investigation report pointing out that the KFA violated regulations multiple times during the appointments of both Hong Myung-bo and Klinsmann.

Citing an unnamed KFA insider, Korean media reported that the Hong Myung-bo case directly implicates Chung Mong-gyu and his cousin, former FIFA Vice President Chung Mong-joon, who were the primary driving forces behind Hong's appointment. However, just after the police announced the investigation and identified leads, Hong Myung-bo quickly left South Korea on July 2, flying again to the United States, with Los Angeles as his destination. This move was described by Korean media as "weathering the storm." With Hong's departure to the U.S., the scheduled parliamentary hearings and investigations by the police and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism remain uncertain.

On July 3, the day after Hong arrived in Los Angeles, the KFA officially issued an apology to the public, pledging deep reflection, restarting the coaching selection process, and re-planning the future of South Korean football. Regardless of South Korea's performance in the 2026 World Cup, the sport has reached a turning point for reform. Chung Mong-gyu had already announced his resignation in late May.

Currently, the South Korean government has announced the establishment of a new body called the "K Football Innovation Committee" to promote football reform. This committee is co-chaired by legendary player Park Ji-sung and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hee-young, with the core goal of enhancing South Korean football's competitiveness.

Regardless, someone must take responsibility for South Korea's failure at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As police investigations deepen and more truths emerge, the scale of the upheaval in South Korean football may be shocking.