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South Korea’s President, Lee Jae Myung, has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the nation’s disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign following the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo. The announcement comes amid public outrage and political pressure after South Korea’s early exit in the group stage of the tournament held in North America.

Hong Myung-bo resigns after early World Cup elimination

Head coach Hong Myung-bo has officially stepped down after South Korea’s failure to advance past the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. The 57-year-old coach’s decision follows a dismal performance by the Tigers of Asia, who have now failed to reach the knockout rounds in three of the last four editions of the tournament.

Hong, who took charge of the national team in 2024, had initially been contracted to lead the side through to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, mounting criticism and dissatisfaction made his position untenable after the team finished third in Group A. Despite an encouraging 2-1 comeback win over the Czech Republic in their opening match, successive defeats to Mexico and South Africa ended their hopes of progressing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Presidential call for accountability and reform

The disappointing campaign has prompted a strong reaction from the highest levels of government. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his dismay on social media, stating: “I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome – I am utterly baffled.” He emphasised the need for accountability, saying: “Given that significant national taxpayer funds and state resources are invested in World Cup participation, I request that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this failure, analyse its causes, and devise comprehensive preventive and improvement measures. We will promptly implement reforms in sports administration to ensure such an incident never happens again.”

Public backlash and symbolic protest

The defeat to South Africa sparked a fierce backlash among South Korean supporters. Public frustration reached such heights that the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) reportedly blurred Hong Myung-bo’s face during the broadcast of his post-match press conference – a symbolic act that captured the national mood of disappointment and anger towards the coaching staff.

For Hong, the setback has a painful sense of déjà vu. The former national team captain, who famously led South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals, had previously resigned from the managerial post following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Once again, in North America, he struggled to find solutions to South Korea’s defensive vulnerabilities during the group stage.

Rebuilding South Korean football

The upcoming inquiry by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicates that reforms will extend beyond the search for a new head coach. President Lee’s pledge for structural change signals a deep review of how sports, particularly football, are managed in the country. The immediate priority for the Korea Football Association (KFA) will be to restore stability ahead of the next cycle of international fixtures. However, with the government now directly involved and fans demanding transparency and accountability, the process of appointing Hong’s successor will unfold under intense public and political scrutiny as South Korea seeks to rebuild its footballing legacy.