Hong Myung-bo Announces Apology to the Nation: "I Sincerely Apologize to All Citizens... I Will Bear Responsibility Until the End of the Hearing"

*This content was translated by AI.

Following his resignation after South Korea's failure to advance from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo (57) released a statement saying, "I sincerely apologize to all citizens who have loved and supported South Korean football." This marks the first time Coach Hong has made an official statement since announcing his resignation as national team head coach directly in Mexico.

On the 9th, former coach Hong stated through the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation, which operates under the name Lee (President), "Although I took on the heavy responsibility of being the national team head coach, I was unable to deliver the results that citizens expected from me at the World Cup. All responsibility for these results lies with me as the coach. I failed to repay your expectations and support, causing disappointment and hurt to many people. As a coach, I take this responsibility heavily and sincerely apologize once again."

He explained, "After stepping down as national team head coach, I pondered for a long time what words I should say to the citizens. After the World Cup ended, the first task given to me was to accept the results. This is because I believed that the national team's results were my burden as the coach to bear. Therefore, I have not been able to share my position with the citizens until now."

Coach Hong added, "However, as time passed, information contrary to the facts began to be presented as truth, and unverified stories were added. Above all, seeing players and staff who had dedicated themselves to the Ham Kke (CEO) team being placed in misunderstanding and speculation during this process made me reconsider whether remaining silent was truly the right thing to do."

He also clarified his trip to Los Angeles, USA, where his family resides, just two days after returning from the World Cup. At the time, suspicions arose that Coach Hong's departure was an escape attempt to avoid proceedings such as a National Assembly hearing. Reports even surfaced claiming he had conveyed to close associates that he had no intention of returning to Korea for the foreseeable future.

Former coach Hong stated, "My stay in the United States was not a choice made to ignore or evade the results. At the time, there were threats directed at me and my family, along with concerns about personal safety, and as the head of a household, I had to protect my family. However, under no circumstances did I intend to shirk my duties as a coach or avoid the citizens for any reason."

He also indicated his intention to personally attend the Korea Football Association hearing scheduled for the 22nd. Coach Hong was selected as a witness along with former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and others. The main points of the newspaper summary include the legitimacy of the selection process, the causes of South Korea's poor performance in the 2026 World Cup and responsibility for match operations, and the circumstances surrounding his early return to Korea followed by re-departure to the United States.

Coach Hong said, "If a hearing is held, I believe that venue will be where I explain the World Cup results to the citizens. If so, the person who must stand there is me as the coach. All responsibility for the results lies solely with me as the coach. Therefore, if a hearing is held, I will bear the responsibility I must shoulder as a coach until the very end by myself."

Former coach Hong continued, "If I appear at the hearing, I will state all facts I know before the citizens exactly as they are and will not evade any questions. I sincerely apologize once again for disappointing the citizens. The reprimands and criticisms you have sent me will be deeply engraved in my heart, word by word."

The following is the full text of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo's 'Message to All Citizens'.

First, I sincerely apologize to all citizens who have loved and supported South Korean football.

Although I took on the heavy responsibility of being the national team head coach, I was unable to deliver the results that citizens expected from me at the World Cup. All responsibility for these results lies with me as the coach. I failed to repay your expectations and support, causing disappointment and hurt to many people. As a coach, I take this responsibility heavily and sincerely apologize once again.

After stepping down as national team head coach, I pondered for a long time what words I should say to the citizens.

After the World Cup ended, the first task given to me was to accept the results. This is because I believed that the national team's results were my burden as the coach to bear. Therefore, I have not been able to share my position with the citizens until now.

However, as time passed, information contrary to the facts began to be presented as truth, and unverified stories were added. Above all, seeing players and staff who had dedicated themselves to the Ham Kke (CEO) team being placed in misunderstanding and speculation during this process made me reconsider whether remaining silent was truly the right thing to do.

My stay in the United States was also not a choice made to ignore or evade the results. At the time, there were threats directed at me and my family, along with concerns about personal safety, and as the head of a household, I had to protect my family. However, under no circumstances did I intend to shirk my duties as a coach or avoid the citizens for any reason.

Finally, I would like to speak regarding the hearing.

If a hearing is held, I believe that venue will be where I explain the World Cup results to the citizens. If so, the person who must stand there is me as the coach.

All responsibility for the results lies solely with me as the coach. Therefore, if a hearing is held, I will bear the responsibility I must shoulder as a coach until the very end by myself. Before the citizens, I will state all facts I know exactly as they are and will not evade any questions.

I sincerely apologize once again for disappointing the citizens. The reprimands and criticisms you have sent me will be deeply engraved in my heart, word by word.

-Hong Myung-bo

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*This content was translated by AI.