Though he has resigned, he vows to protect the players until the end... Coach Hong Myung-bo expresses intention to attend hearing

*This content was translated by AI.

Former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo appears likely to attend a hearing on the Korea Football Association being pursued at the National Assembly.

According to Channel A on the 7th, former Coach Hong reportedly conveyed through a senior official of the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation, an associate of his, that he would come if summoned regarding the hearing.

The South Korean national football team led by former Coach Hong posted poor results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup North America qualifiers. In response, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young is pushing for a special audit of the Korea Football Association, and the National Assembly is also discussing holding a hearing. The hearing date is reportedly likely to be on the 22nd.

Former Coach Hong stepped down from his position as coach of the Lee Mi (CEO) team but is understood to hold the view that protecting the players until the end is also part of a coach's role. It appears he conveyed his intention to attend the hearing and speak directly, concerned that the players might suffer harm.

South Korea suffered a disaster in this North America World Cup, achieving its worst-ever final ranking of "34th place." When grouped into Group A along with host nation Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Africa, there were even assessments that it was a group worth competing in. However, the result was one win and two losses, finishing third in Group A. In particular, South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa in the final Group Stage match on the third day of the group stage, where a draw would have secured second place in Group A and advancement to the Round of 32. It was a fatal defeat.

This tournament allowed not only the top two teams from each group but also the eight best-performing teams among the twelve third-place finishers across all groups to advance to the Round of 32. However, South Korea finished only 10th in the third-place rankings. Ultimately, it concluded its North America World Cup journey without even stepping onto the tournament stage.

After it was confirmed that former Coach Hong's team had been eliminated from the group stage, he held a press conference and announced his resignation.

The fallout after elimination from the World Cup was severe. Criticism came not only from football fans but also from President Lee Jae-myung, who pointed out the poor performance in the North America World Cup via social media, stating, "It has once again been proven that personnel changes are everything."

President Lee also requested an investigation at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism level. He emphasized, "Since a significant amount of national tax revenue and state support capabilities have been invested in participating in the World Cup, I hope the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will carefully monitor the accurate situation and causes of this incident, as well as measures to prevent recurrence and improve the situation."

This North America World Cup also remained a painful failure for former Coach Hong. Although he led the South Korean national team in the 2014 Brazil World Cup, they were eliminated in the group stage with one draw and two losses. His second World Cup challenge also ended in failure.

Former Coach Hong was also subjected to harsh criticism from some football fans waiting at the scene when he arrived through Incheon International Airport on the 30th of last month. At his resignation press conference, former Coach Hong released a resignation statement but did not hold any separate media events during the World Cup venue visit or upon arrival afterward. There was no further opportunity to hear his position. Meanwhile, former Coach Hong departed for the United States on the 2nd.

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*This content was translated by AI.