Following South Korea's elimination from the 2026 World Cup after losing to South Africa, 1-0, on Wednesday, Taegeuk Warriors head coach Hong Myung-bo announced he is stepping down from his position.
The resignation comes amid South Korea president Lee Jae Myung calling for the government’s sports ministry to investigate the team’s World Cup results and the process by which Hong was hired.
“As a former honorary professional soccer club manager and a heartfelt Red Devil, I feel not just confusion but utter bewilderment at this unexpected outcome,” Lee said in a statement posted to social media.
In the end, it's proven once again that personnel is everything,” he added. “When favoritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper.”
South Korea won its first two matches in Group A — 1-0 over El Salvador and 2-1 versus Czechia — but lost its next two games, 1-0 to Mexico and 1-0 to South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors earned only three points in group play and their failure to advance to the knockout round was confirmed after Saturday’s results.