"Coach Hong Myung-bo is pitiful" — Japan's shocked reaction to the hearing: "De facto public humiliation"

*This content was translated by AI.

Japan, watching the National Assembly hearing on the poor performance of the South Korean national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and Central America and the administrative chaos within the Korea Football Association, is expressing surprise along with sympathetic reactions toward Coach Hong Myung-bo. The fact that a National Assembly hearing was held due to soccer itself is unfamiliar, and local Japanese media have pointed out that Coach Hong, who once played in Japan's professional J-League, has effectively been subjected to "public humiliation."

Japanese outlet D&N reported on the 31st: "In South Korea, which only managed to exit the group stage at the recent North America and Central America World Cup, criticism toward former coach Hong Myung-bo who led the national team and the Korea Football Association has not subsided. Former Coach Hong Myung-bo, dressed in a formal suit, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly hearing on the 30th. Japanese fans are showing surprise along with sympathetic reactions to this unfamiliar sight."

The outlet added: "Former Coach Hong Myung-bo, who attended the hearing in a black suit, apologized by saying, 'I am sorry for failing to meet the expectations of the people,' and then answered questions from Lee Hu (Rep.). Former Coach Hong explained issues such as whether there were any special favors based on academic connections during the coach selection process, whether the reported annual salary of approximately 3.8 billion won via overseas media was accurate, and the methods and reasons for using Son Heung-min (LAFC)."

In fact, as reported by the outlet, questions related to Yeo Reo (Rep.) were poured out at Coach Hong Myung-bo that day. However, while Coach Hong expressed his apologies for the poor performance at the recent North America and Central America World Cup, he denied all allegations regarding special favors in the coach selection process and issues about his salary, stating that the annual salary was far lower than estimates reported by overseas media.

The sight of the South Korean national team's head coach bowing his head while appearing at a National Assembly hearing was particularly unfamiliar to Japanese fans. Moreover, Coach Hong Myung-bo played for Shonan Bellmare and Kashiwa Reysol in the J-League during his playing days and has been widely loved by Japanese fans.

D&N added: "It is a situation unique to South Korea that sports officials appear before the National Assembly due to poor tournament results. Japanese fans expressed sympathetic opinions toward former Coach Hong Myung-bo via social media (SNS), saying things like, 'He's just a soccer coach,' 'Hong Myung-bo is pitiful,' and 'Judging based on World Cup results is de facto public humiliation.'"

Meanwhile, when asked by Jo Eun-hui (Rep.) of the People Power Party, "As someone who has stepped down from the coaching position, how can we change the organizational culture of the Korea Football Association?" Coach Hong Myung-bo stated: "I do not believe that one person doing well is enough. I acknowledge that it is a structure that will not change unless all football people make tremendous efforts and truly unite their strength."

He further added his opinion: "These are indeed difficult tasks, but I hope young people enter the association and change these difficulties. If they realize how difficult reality is once inside, they will be able to bring about changes with greater responsibility. I believe that if such people work, changes will happen much faster and improve."

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*This content was translated by AI.