"Is going to family an escape? When things are tough, painful, and exhausting, who do you turn to?" The controversy over Hong Myung-bo's departure from the country has sparked a fierce response from the national team's team physician.

*This content was translated by AI.

Song Jun-seop, team physician for the South Korean national football team, could not hide his intense emotions regarding the recent controversy surrounding Hong Myung-bo (57), head coach of the Jeon (CEO) team, over his "departure to Los Angeles." He sharply criticized the situation.

On the 4th, Song posted on his social media: "When things are most difficult, painful, and exhausting, who do you turn to? It's your family." He directly refuted public criticism against Coach Hong's trip to the United States raised by some.

Former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who returned to South Korea with the national team on June 30, departed for Los Angeles, USA, where his family resides, just two days later on the 2nd. This has triggered sharp criticism both inside and outside the football community, labeling it as an "escape abroad" immediately following the World Cup disaster. Especially as administrative accountability is being pursued through hearings and audits at the National Assembly level, which are expected to bring South Korean football to a catastrophic state, there are accusations that he is essentially fleeing Korea for overseas.

In fact, when reporters asked former coach Hong about his attendance at the National Assembly hearing upon meeting him at the airport during his departure, he avoided giving a direct answer by saying, "I don't know. I don't even know when my return date will be." Additionally, recent reports from another media outlet speculated that before departing, former coach Hong had informed his close associates that he had no plans to return to Korea.

As the controversy continued to escalate uncontrollably, Song asked, "Is going back to family an escape?" He then added, "All criticism must be based on accurate facts; otherwise, its legitimacy and soundness will be questioned," delivering a sharp rebuke against baseless speculation and excessive condemnation.

Song further expressed his frustration and bitterness over the public criticism directed at former coach Hong, saying, "Whether due to time difference or sorrow, I spent the night wide awake."

Song has been with the national team since the 2010 South Africa World Cup and built long-term trust with head coach Hong Myung-bo during the 2014 Brazil World Cup. It is understood that he decided to speak out directly because he could no longer remain silent in the face of indiscriminate criticism and speculation directed at Coach Hong recently.

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*This content was translated by AI.