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🇰🇷 South Korea /Energy & Infrastructure

Fans greet returning coach Hong Myung-bo with angry chants at airport

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Football fans gathered at Incheon International Airport to protest coach Hong Myung-bo upon his return from the World Cup.
  • Chants of "Hong Myung-bo get out" and "Disband the association" echoed through the airport.
  • Fans expressed disappointment with the team's performance and the football association's decisions, while showing support for the players.

A wave of anger and disappointment met South Korean national football team coach Hong Myung-bo and his players as they arrived at Incheon International Airport early on June 30. Hundreds of frustrated fans and YouTubers gathered, their chants of "Hong Myung-bo get out" and "Disband the association" filling the air, a stark contrast to the usual reception for returning national athletes. The protest was a direct response to the team's failure to advance past the group stage in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"Get out, Hong Myung-bo."

— Protesting fansChants directed at the national football team coach upon his arrival at the airport.

The atmosphere at the airport was tense, with police deployed to manage the situation. While some fans resorted to harsh verbal attacks, calling for Hong to "get out of Korea" and "return the 2 billion won," others made it clear their anger was directed at the coach and the Korean Football Association (KFA), not the players. Chants of "Lee Kang-in, you worked hard" and "Cheer up" were heard, with fans urging each other not to criticize the athletes. "Let's not curse the players. Let's support the players," was a common sentiment among the crowd.

"Disband the association."

— Protesting fansChants expressing dissatisfaction with the Korean Football Association.

One fan, who had initially hoped to support the team despite reservations about the coaching appointment process, expressed deep disappointment. "I came to the airport hoping to hear at least one word about why the match against South Africa happened the way it did. But seeing him leave without a word made me even more angry," the fan stated. The sentiment was shared by many, who felt the team's performance, particularly in the crucial matches, was inexplicable and demanded accountability.

I came to the airport hoping to hear at least one word about why the match against South Africa happened the way it did. But seeing him leave without a word made me even more angry.

— Football fanExplaining their frustration with the coach's lack of explanation for the team's performance.

The protest intensified when KFA president Chung Mong-gyu, who had previously announced his intention to resign after the World Cup, appeared and quickly departed the airport. This further fueled the crowd's anger, leading to renewed shouts of "Chung Mong-gyu get out!" The fans' fury was palpable, directed at what they perceived as mismanagement and a lack of accountability within the KFA, overshadowing any sense of national pride or accomplishment from the tournament.

Let's not curse the players. Let's support the players.

— Football fanUrging fellow fans to direct their anger at the coaching staff and association, not the players.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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