Ahn Jung-hwan "Holds 1-person protest at KFA".."Looks like doing independence movement now that liberation has come" Sparks controversy over defending Hong Myung-bo [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahn Jung-hwan, a key figure in South Korea's 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup semi-final run, mentioned holding a "1-person protest" while calling for reform at the Korea Football Association (KFA).

On the 28th, Ahn Jung-hwan urged reform at the KFA during the TikTok variety show "Tiki Tiki Takataka Tok Tok Show." He stated, "The association has been doing wrong and has now changed. Everyone should step aside. It needs to be cleaned up now. But why is this happening again? Then I'll go. If it goes wrong again this time, I'll go to the association and hold a 1-person protest."

He then made a bombshell statement: "Then I'll go. I'll hold a 1-person protest and leave the football world."

Additionally, Ahn Jung-hwan explained the netizens' reaction that he "is watching the KFA's mood," saying, "I get angry when I hear people say I want to take a position at the KFA. I don't want to become like those people while sitting in a seat, so I have never entered the KFA even once in 14 years."

While doing so, Ahn Jung-hwan expressed anger, asking, "Am I the control tower above the KFA? Am I above the coach?" He further added, "How can I criticize something I don't know because I don't work with them? Suddenly calling them 'bad people'? Isn't that even more strange?" He also expressed his sense of grievance.

Moreover, regarding Hong Myung-bo, the coach of the South Korean national football team, Ahn Jung-hwan said, "Personally, he is a senior and I respect him, but he must resign if he does not step down."

Under Hong Myung-bo, the team failed to advance to the 2026 North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup 32-team tournament, recording the 34th lowest rank among 48 countries. This is a dismal result that did not even achieve qualification for the finals. In particular, the team put on a "disgraceful performance" in the 0-1 loss to South Africa on the 25th, drawing harsh criticism not only domestically but also overseas.

Amid this, Ahn Jung-hwan sparked controversy over "defending Hong Myung-bo" after stating, "General football fans can talk like that. But things that shouldn't happen are being talked about strangely."

In response, netizens sent a barrage of sharp criticism despite Ahn Jung-hwan's "1-person protest" remarks, including: "They had no interest in independence movements before independence, but now that independence has come, they shout 'Long live independence'," "Now that liberation has come, they are doing independence movements," "A huge shift in stance," "Now that liberation has come, they came out to shout 'Long live'," "This kind of result is also due to the negligence of former national team players," "I know he has no connection with the KFA, but wrapping Hong Myung-bo with connections is the same as helping the KFA," "If you stay quiet, you'll at least get a middle position," "He should have said such things when he was coaching Hong Myung-bo. When a junior risked his life and came out to hold the microphone, what did you do then?", "Only now?", "Everyone is under stress. Shouldn't we make a serious statement at a time like this? I thought he would be different, but his words are too light," "Just a variety show with an open mouth," "He is making careless remarks jokingly," "I am disappointed," and more.

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*This content was translated by AI.