"I will answer any question": Hong Myung-bo faces many tasks to resolve at the hearing... Must address "controversy over special treatment, tactical failures, and rumors of internal conflict"

*This content was translated by AI.

Former South Korea national team coach Hong Myung-bo (57) declared he would face the hearing head-on, stating, "I will not dodge any questions." What issues will arise when former coach Hong meets with members of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee at the hearing?

In a statement released on the 9th, former coach Hong apologized for the national team's poor performance in the World Cup and announced he would appear as a witness at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee hearing on the 22nd. He said, "The responsibility for the results lies entirely with me, and I will bear the responsibility alone until the end."

The first issue likely to be addressed at the hearing is the opacity of the selection process and controversies over special treatment. Members of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee are expected to rigorously question how Hong was appointed as head coach through late-night meetings with Lee Im-saeng, the executive vice president in charge of technology, bypassing procedures such as pressure interviews or tactical presentations that were conducted for foreign candidates during the 2024 appointment of the national team coach.

In response, former coach Hong is expected to emphasize that administrative procedures related to the coaching appointment were within the exclusive authority of the Korea Football Association. He is likely to defend against the controversy by asserting that he accepted the coaching position out of a sense of mission during a crisis for Korean football, willingly enduring criticism.

An examination of tactical failures will also continue, despite leading the 'golden generation,' which was evaluated as the highest level among past national teams, to be eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 North American World Cup. Issues regarding internal cohesion within the squad raised during the World Cup tournament are also expected to come under scrutiny.

Since former coach Hong has already stated, "The responsibility for the results lies entirely with me," he is expected to bow his head without excuses regarding the poor performance. However, there is a high probability that he will draw a line and take a defensive stance toward players regarding 'rumors of internal conflict within the squad' and 'factional controversies' that have surfaced in some quarters.

The appropriateness of his actions, departing for Los Angeles (LA) in the United States just two days after returning from the World Cup group stage elimination, is also an issue. As public disappointment reached its peak, his sudden departure drew criticism as irresponsible escape.

In response, former coach Hong stated in his statement that he did not intend to ignore the results but that it was an unavoidable measure taken to protect his family as the head of the household.

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*This content was translated by AI.