'International Humiliation': World Watches Controversy Over Hong Myung-bo's Escape "South Korea's Head Coach, Feeling Threatened by Murder and Assault, Finally Flees to the U.S."

*This content was translated by AI.

Former South Korean national team coach Hong Myung-bo, who left office in disgrace with a shabby record of two consecutive World Cup group-stage exits throughout his coaching career, suddenly chose to travel to the United States immediately after his resignation. Overseas media outlets have also begun closely focusing on his move from a hero of Korean football to an instant fugitive and his future plans.

British major newspaper 'BBC' and Spanish outlet 'As' reported in detail that "former coach Hong Myung-bo departed for Los Angeles, U.S., through Incheon International Airport on the 2nd."

This is essentially a flight abroad immediately following the World Cup disaster. As administrative accountability for turning Korean football into a catastrophe comes to the forefront with hearings and audits being pushed at the National Assembly level, criticism is pouring in that he has effectively abandoned Korea and fled overseas. In fact, when reporters met him at the airport upon departure and asked whether he would attend the National Assembly hearing, former coach Hong dodged a direct answer, saying, "I don't know. I don't know what my return date will be."

However, the reality that emerged afterward was even more shocking. According to recent reports by MBN, it was revealed that former coach Hong Myung-bo had suddenly informed his close associates before departing that he had no plans to return to Korea.

The prevailing view is that former coach Hong Myung-bo's actions were calculated. Although the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee is currently moving to summon former coach Hong as a witness to hold hearings on his opaque appointment process and the World Cup disaster, there is no legal means to compel him if he remains abroad and submits a non-attendance statement under current laws. This is because the clause for mandatory attendance does not apply to general hearings that are not national investigations or audits.

In the end, by fleeing to the U.S. to evade the National Assembly's scrutiny, former coach Hong has blatantly revealed his intention to completely avoid legal and administrative pressure directed at him.

Overseas media outlets analyze this incident as former coach Hong leaving Korea not for simple rest but due to safety concerns. 'As' reported, "Anger toward Coach Hong exploded within Korea after the World Cup exit. He boarded a flight to the U.S. to secure his physical safety while suffering from threats to his life and murder threats."

In particular, British outlet 'The Guardian' reported on former coach Hong's resignation, stating, "Just one day after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung strongly condemned the national team's performance by pointing out incompetent individuals following the World Cup exit and apologized to the public, the resignation took place." The outlet added, "He gambled by excluding captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) in a match against South Africa, which could have advanced to the tournament with even a draw, thereby inviting a major disaster," highlighting that former coach Hong's tactical failures and mismanagement of player selection led to the catastrophe.

In addition, 'BBC' pointed out, "Coach Hong, who faced huge backlash from football fans due to a lack of fairness and transparency in his appointment process, ultimately exposed his insufficient tactical capabilities and fell from a hero to a target of criticism."

World football interest has already focused on former coach Hong's future plans after he hurriedly left Korea. Former coach Hong, who ungracefully stepped down as the commander of Korean football, is reportedly currently staying in the U.S. for an extended period to rest while exploring new coaching opportunities.

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*This content was translated by AI.