South Korean Parliament Interrogates National Team Coach

Former South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo was questioned by lawmakers yesterday regarding the team’s failure to advance past the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, acknowledging that he bears “full responsibility” for the failure.

Hong resigned after the team’s exit from the tournament, which concluded on the 19th with Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final. He appeared before a hearing of the parliamentary Committee on Sports and Culture, which is investigating the performance of the Korea Football Association.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung blamed “incompetent individuals” appointed to leadership positions for the failure, in a statement that did not name Hong directly but noted that “loyalties and patronage” had influenced appointment mechanisms at the highest levels of the sport.

Lawmakers directed questions at Hong (57) regarding allegations that he received preferential treatment when appointed national team coach in 2024, amid reports that recruitment officials from the association conducted interviews at his residential neighborhood, which were described as lacking transparency.

Hong told lawmakers, “I believe the appropriate procedures were followed,” denying that he had requested “any privileges or special benefits.”

Lawmakers also raised reports that he received a salary of 3.8 billion won ($2.6 million), a figure said to be among the highest for national team coaches.

Hong insisted the figure was incorrect but refused to disclose his actual salary.

He apologized for the team’s failure to reach the Round of 32 in the tournament, which was held for the first time with 48 participating nations in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. He said, “I was the coach, and this position is ultimately judged by results. Since our performance in this World Cup did not meet expectations, I take full responsibility for everything.”