South Korea demands change after dismal World Cup exit

South Korea's dismal World Cup performance has ignited fury at home, leading to widespread calls for a complete overhaul of the football establishment. Coach Hong Myung-bo resigned following the team's first-round exit, a result that has also cast doubt on the international future of captain Son Heung-min.

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We have to look back and ask ourselves why things have come to this.

President Lee Jae Myung publicly rebuked "incompetent people" and apologized to the nation, reflecting a boiling public anger fueled by years of discontent with South Korean football chiefs. Former captain Park Ji-sung lamented that despite a decade of preparation, the lessons for World Cup success had been forgotten. The team, expected to advance from a group including Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic, faltered after an initial win against the Czechs, suffering losses to Mexico and South Africa.

Fans' frustration is palpable, with reports suggesting the Korea Football Association is not planning a welcome-back event for the team. This follows a similar incident in 2014 when angry fans pelted the team with candies upon their return from the Brazil World Cup. Hong, who took over in July 2024 after Jurgen Klinsmann's dismissal, faced criticism for his reappointment process and his tactical decisions, including dropping star player Son for the crucial South Africa match.

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Even after spending a decade learning how to prepare for the World Cup and develop Korean football, we have forgotten those lessons once again.

Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 World Cup squad, expressed his deep frustration and called for widespread resignations. "This is a message to change," he stated. Much of the fans' anger is directed at KFA president Chung Mong-gyu, who had previously expressed confidence in the team's prospects.

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This is a message to change. Everyone should be ready to step down.