*This content was translated by AI.
This is an international humiliation. Japanese media raised critical voices regarding the National Assembly hearing for the South Korean national football team, which received a report card of elimination from the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, calling it a "hellish hearing."
The Japanese outlet 'Daily' reported on the 30th under the headline "Hellish Hearing" about the National Assembly hearing concerning the South Korean national football team.
Former coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned after the elimination from the group stage of the World Cup in North America, appeared at a hearing held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Former Coach Hong bowed his head and said, "I have nothing to say but to apologize first for not meeting the expectations of the people," adding, "I am taking heavy responsibility for failing to meet the expectations sent to the national team."
With a national team coach appearing at a National Assembly hearing, the content of questions raised by National Assembly members during the hearing fueled controversy.
'Daily' cited domestic reports, stating that "during the hearing, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Min-hee claimed that the exclusion of key players Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup in the final match against South Africa was due to 'retaliation by Coach Hong Myung-bo.'"
"This is the National Assembly. You must not commit perjury," Choi (Rep.) pressured Coach Kim Jin-gyu, and when the coach denied it, he continued to interrogate by saying, "Football fans believe that the reason for the loss was that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung did not play. Then why did you lose?"
In response, Coach Kim explained, "Various situations occur during matches. I do not think we lost simply because two players were absent." 'Daily' added, "Korean media also reacted with bewilderment to the question."
Reactions from Japanese netizens were equally cold. Japanese netizens who read the article poured out criticism via 'Yahoo Japan,' saying, "It is insane to interrogate the cause of victory or defeat in a sports match at the National Assembly," "Because they are doing such things, the gap with the world is widening," and "The question 'Then why did you lose?' serves only the purpose of outsiders relentlessly focusing on blame and has no meaning."
Other netizens pointed out, "It is surprising that the National Assembly seriously asks the national football team coach 'Why did you lose?' This is unimaginable in Japan," and "Seeing this kind of behavior, even Koreans will not want to take over as the next national team coach, and foreign coaches will also avoid the coaching position."
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*This content was translated by AI.
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