South Korea has faced significant criticism following its early exit from the World Cup, failing to advance past the first round. The team’s performance has led to widespread calls for an overhaul of the Korea Football Association (KFA) and its leadership. Coach Hong Myung-bo resigned on Sunday, but this has not quelled the public’s anger.
The 2002 semifinalists were eliminated after a 1-0 loss to South Africa, a result that prevented them from securing one of the top eight third-place spots needed to reach the knockout rounds. This outcome marked the country’s worst performance in World Cup history, finishing 34th out of 48 nations.
Public and Political Reactions
Lee Jae Myung, the country’s president, publicly rebuked the team, attributing the failure to “incompetent people” and offering an apology to the nation. This sentiment reflects a long-standing dissatisfaction with South Korean football officials that has now intensified.
Former captain Park Ji-sung commented on the recurring nature of these issues, stating that such an outcome might have been anticipated years ago. He emphasized the need for introspection and a reevaluation of how the sport is managed in South Korea to avoid repeating past mistakes.
The team, which was expected to progress from Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and Czechia, began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over the Czechs. However, a 1-0 defeat to Mexico and the subsequent loss to South Africa sealed their fate. Local media reported that the KFA did not plan a welcoming event for the team’s return, a contrast to the 2014 incident where angry fans pelted the team with Korean candies upon their return from Brazil.
Controversy Surrounding KFA Leadership
The KFA, particularly its president Chung Mong-gyu, has been under intense scrutiny. Chung, who is in his fourth term, announced in May that he would step down after the World Cup, citing a “lack of virtue” amid criticism of his 13-year tenure. He faced backlash for attempting to pardon former players banned for match-fixing.
The process of appointing Hong Myung-bo as head coach in July 2024, five months after the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann, also drew significant controversy. The KFA was criticized for a lack of transparency and fairness in the selection process. The National Team Committee, an advisory body, had reportedly ranked Jesse Marsch as its top candidate, followed by Jesus Casas, but Hong was ultimately appointed after the committee chairperson resigned and full authority was granted to a former technical director by Chung.
Klinsmann’s tenure itself was contentious, marked by criticism over his work ethic and time spent outside Korea. His dismissal reportedly cost the KFA nearly 7 billion won ($4.5 million) to buy out his contract. The KFA’s handling of coaching appointments has been described as disorganized and unprincipled, leading to parliamentary inquiries and a court ruling against Chung regarding alleged improper involvement.
Fan dissatisfaction was evident during a World Cup qualifier against Palestine in September 2024, where supporters unfurled a banner reading “The Dark Age of Korean Football” and chanted for Chung Mong-gyu’s removal. The team’s captain, Son Heung-min, who was benched for the crucial South Africa match, has not yet commented on his international future, having previously hinted at retirement.
The South Korean national team’s ranking also dropped to 32nd in the FIFA men’s world rankings on Monday, its lowest position since December 2021.
Source: aljazeera.com