Foreign media outlets have raised concerns over the personal safety of Hong Myung-bo, the former head coach of South Korea's national football team, following his departure for the United States. Amid sharply worsening public sentiment after the team's exit from the World Cup group stage, the fallout has grown, compounded by death threats and controversy over a parliamentary hearing.
Argentine outlet Ole and Spanish outlet Cope reported on Hong's departure for the US on Thursday, saying, "Former coach Hong Myung-bo received death threats and chose to travel to the US out of concern for the safety of himself and his family."
Spanish outlet AS also reported Wednesday that "the former coach left for the US for safety reasons." The outlet explained that "the situation surrounding the Korean national team has not yet calmed down, and Hong is the figure who has been hit hardest," adding, "He appeared deeply distressed in front of the media and was seen trying to avoid people's gaze."
Hong expressed his intention to resign in Mexico after South Korea was eliminated from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in North America with one win and two losses, finishing third in its group. He returned home with the squad on the 30th of last month, but just two days later, on the 2nd, departed from Incheon International Airport for Los Angeles in the US. Hong is reported to be taking a break for the time being in the US, where his family resides.
Foreign media also described the strong reaction in Korean society following the World Cup exit. Ole and Cope said "a strong backlash swept through Korean society after the group-stage elimination," reporting that President Lee Jae-myung instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct a thorough investigation, analyze the causes, and prepare measures to prevent a recurrence, and that Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu expressed his intention to resign.
They added that "the national team returned home in an extremely hostile atmosphere," and that "the former coach had to leave the airport under security escort, and public sentiment deteriorated to the point that there were even reports that some areas had banned his entry." They also reported that Korean police had launched an investigation into the death threats against Hong.
Some foreign outlets also mentioned allegations of internal conflict within the national team. Ole and Cope reported that "a tip emerged that there was an argument between Hong and Son Heung-min in the locker room," and that "there is a claim that Hong cut off Son mid-sentence and said, 'That's something I should be saying.'" However, this content cited a tip, and its veracity has not been confirmed.
Within Korea, suspicions have also been raised over whether Hong's departure was an attempt to avoid attending a National Assembly hearing. Rep. Choi Min-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea wrote on Facebook, "The former coach has a duty to explain the World Cup result to the public," adding, "I hope he will definitely appear if the National Assembly requests his attendance."
At the time of his departure, Hong told reporters, "I do have things to say, and someday the story will come out well." Asked whether he would attend the hearing, he replied, "I don't know. I don't know when my return date will be."
Meanwhile, according to an MBN report on Thursday, an aide close to Hong said, "The former coach has no intention of returning to Korea," and "he is not considering attending the hearing either."
Earlier, at a press conference after returning home, Hong said, "I sincerely apologize to all the citizens who have loved Korean football and always cheered for it," and "As of today, I wish to step down from the position of national team head coach." He added, "I will sincerely cheer for Korean football to grow so that it can once again earn the trust and love of the public."
