Former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo reiterated his apology for the "North and Central America disaster" and expressed his willingness to attend a hearing.
Hong issued a statement titled "A Message to the People" on the 9th, saying, "I sincerely apologize to all the people who have loved and supported Korean football," and added, "I failed to repay your expectations and support, and I have caused disappointment and pain to many people."
He then expressed his intention to attend, saying, "If a hearing is held, I believe it will be a place to explain the World Cup result to the people. If so, the person who should stand there is the coach, myself."
Earlier that morning, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee approved the "Adoption of the Implementation Plan for a Hearing on Current Issues Related to the Korea Football Association" and decided to hold the hearing on the 22nd. It also adopted Hong as a witness.
"The responsibility for the result rests entirely with me as the coach," Hong said. "I will tell the people the facts as I know them, exactly as they are, and I will not avoid any question."
Hong announced his intention to resign on the 29th of last month, taking responsibility for the World Cup result. Hong, who had not issued any message afterward, drew suspicion of fleeing when he departed for Los Angeles in the United States just two days after returning home.
Regarding the reason for issuing the statement, Hong explained, "As time passed, things that were untrue became known as if they were true, and unverified stories were added on top." He continued, "Watching the players and staff who had devoted themselves alongside me for the national team also become caught up in misunderstanding and speculation in that process, I came to reconsider whether remaining silent was truly the right thing to do."
On the flight controversy, Hong explained, "My staying in the United States was also not a choice made to turn away from or escape the result," and added, "At the time, there were threats against me and my family and concerns about my personal safety, and as the head of a household, I had to protect my family."
He then stressed, "For no reason whatsoever did I turn away from the duties I had to fulfill as a coach or try to avoid the people."
