Reporters' offensive comments about Son Heung-min recorded during South Korea training

A controversy has erupted around the South Korean national football team just before the 2026 World Cup, stemming from offensive comments allegedly made by reporters during a public training session in Mexico. The incident, which occurred on June 7 at the Chivas Valle Verde training center in Guadalajara, was captured on video and later surfaced on social media.

The leaked footage, initially shared on JTBC's YouTube channel, features background voices criticizing captain Son Heung-min. Comments included remarks about his running style, with one voice saying, "Are you running like a platoon leader just because you're captain?" Another added, "Son runs like he's in the army."

The situation escalated when the same voices reportedly made derogatory remarks and used profanity directed at players who had not completed their mandatory military service. "These guys haven't even been in the army," one person was heard saying, accompanied by offensive language. A woman nearby reportedly tried to warn them their conversation might be recorded, but they continued.

As the video gained traction online, many social media users deemed the comments inappropriate, especially given the players represent their country on a global stage. JTBC eventually made the original video private and released a new version with the offensive audio muted. The station explained that their camera captured ambient sounds due to its technical specifications and that the problematic comments were only noticed after viewer reactions. They stated the offensive portion was muted after the fact. The identities of the individuals who made the comments remain unknown.