Former South Korea men's national football team coach Hong Myung-bo appeared before the National Assembly's sports and culture committee on July 30, 2026, to address questions following the team's disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Hong, who resigned shortly after South Korea failed to progress beyond the group stage with one win and two losses, faced intense criticism over his decision to bench captain Son Heung-min in a crucial match against South Africa. The defeat eliminated South Korea from the tournament, dashing hopes for a strong run.
During the hearing, Hong acknowledged the team's shortcomings and stated, "I was the head coach, and that's a position that is ultimately judged by results. Because our performance at this World Cup fell short, I take full responsibility for everything."
Lawmakers also probed allegations regarding Hong's 2024 appointment, including claims of preferential treatment and opaque recruitment processes by the Korea Football Association (KFA). Hong denied requesting any special favors, asserting that proper procedures were followed.
Questions were raised about his reported salary of 3.8 billion won (approximately US$2.6 million), a figure Hong refuted but declined to clarify further.
South Korean media had dubbed the 2026 squad a "golden generation," featuring high-profile players such as Son Heung-min, Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae, and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in. The team's early exit was met with disappointment nationwide.
President Lee Jae Myung criticized leadership within the sport's governing bodies, attributing failures to "incompetent people" and hinting at issues of loyalty and factionalism affecting recruitment.
