2 min learnJun 28, 2026 07:12 PM IST
South Korea President Lee Jae Myung has come down closely on coach Hong Myung-bo, blaming the nation’s group-stage World Cup exit on favouritism in choice. He has additionally sought a sports activities ministry-led investigation into the group’s efficiency.
“I’m not simply shocked by this sudden end result, I’m totally baffled,” Lee wrote on X on Sunday, reacting to the group’s early elimination.
South Korea have been fancied by most to qualify for the knockouts from a comparatively straightforward group A. However back-to-back defeats to Mexico and South Africa left the Taegeuk Warriors with three factors and out of doors the eight greatest third-placed groups progressing to the spherical of 32.
“As soon as once more, it has been confirmed that personnel selections are every part. When ‘us versus them’ is prioritised over competence, and an incompetent particular person is chosen as a pacesetter, the end result is as clear as day,” the Korean president added.
Korean media had already been alleging favouritism and a non-transparent hiring course of upon Hong’s reinstatement as nationwide group supervisor in 2024. Hong had denied the allegations.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks throughout a joint press convention. (AP Picture)
“The rationale such botched appointments — which fail to distinguish between public and personal pursuits and prioritise private acquire over the general public good — are attainable is that it’s not possible or troublesome to observe, test, and maintain these with appointment authority accountable,” Lee additional wrote.
A petition to sack Hong, posted on the nationwide meeting web site on Thursday, quickly gained the signatures it wanted for a preliminary evaluation, whereas social media posts exhibiting retailers with indicators banning Hong from the premises have gone viral within the nation.
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“The failure to qualify… which has left the general public feeling disheartened, seems to be the results of organisational and personnel failures,” Lee stated. “I ask that the Ministry of Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism completely examine the precise circumstances of this incident, analyze its causes, and develop measures to forestall recurrence and guarantee enchancment.”