South Korean Coach Steps Down Amid World Cup Inquiry

South Korea's national team coach Hong Myung-bo has stepped down from his role as the country grapples with the fallout from an early exit at the 2026 World Cup.

According to reporting from Yonhap news agency on Sunday, Hong formally tendered his resignation following the team's lackluster showing in the tournament. South Korea managed only 3 points during the group stage—a result that fell well short of national expectations and ended hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.

The disappointing performance has prompted high-level scrutiny. President Lee Jae-myung expressed his disapproval on the X platform, characterizing the team's failure to progress beyond the initial round as unacceptable.

"This World Cup collapse, which has devastated Korean supporters, represents a breakdown at both the institutional and personal level," the president stated.

Lee Jae-myung has directed the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct an expanded review of the situation. "Given that substantial public funds and government resources are being allocated to this endeavor, I am requesting a thorough examination of the circumstances and underlying factors, as well as an assessment of measures needed to prevent such an outcome from occurring again," he said.