Following a disappointing exit from the FIFA World Cup, eight members of the South Korean national soccer team and their former coach, Hong Myung-bo, attempted to return home early Tuesday. They were met at the airport by a crowd of upset fans wielding protest signs and calling for the return of their salaries.
Arriving at Incheon International Airport in the early hours between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time—reportedly to avoid any potential violence after Hong received online death threats—the team couldn’t escape the backlash of boos and jeers.
According to multiple reports from South Korean media, one protester even threw dog dental chews at the Korean Football Association (KFA) President Jeong Mong-gyu as he arrived by plane.
Fans are outraged that their team couldn’t make it beyond the group stage of the World Cup. Before the tournament, analysts had high hopes for South Korea, predicting they would easily progress due to the experience of players in European leagues.
Much of the anger has been directed at Coach Hong, who faced shouts of “Heads up!” as the players passed by. He was appointed to lead the national team in 2024 amidst a contentious selection process that led to a parliamentary inquiry. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called Hong “incompetent” in a recent social media post and promised a government investigation into his hiring that was perceived as favoritism over more qualified foreign candidates.
On Tuesday morning, over 160 riot police were on standby at the airport for the team’s arrival. Reports suggest that around 50 to 100 fans showed up to express their anger, with many hurling insults.
Footage from the scene captured men using megaphones to chant, “Hong Myung-bo, get out of Korea!” There were signs expressing grief over the state of Korean soccer, along with demands for Hong to return his substantial salary as head coach.
One fan commented, “The poor results are a separate issue, but I think we deserve an explanation.” They added that it was unfortunate the matter concluded with just a resignation.
As the team moved through the area where the crowd had gathered, Hong seemed to drive quickly past, while many players looked down. The exception was Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, who appeared visibly pained by the scene.
South Korea’s history in the World Cup includes matches against Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic. Despite winning against the Czech Republic, the team failed to proceed further, which has intensified the backlash against Hong. This is particularly poignant since he also oversaw a similar failure in 2014, making him the only coach in the nation’s history to be given another chance after such a setback. His reappointment in 2024 raised eyebrows due to rumors of less qualified alternatives and allegations of corruption, yet a parliamentary inquiry produced few results.
President Lee publicly apologized to the nation, expressing embarrassment over the team’s performance and directing government action in response.
“When you place someone incompetent in charge, prioritizing connections over merit, the outcome becomes predictable,” Lee stated online. He called for a thorough investigation to analyze the reasons behind the team’s poor performance and to ensure proactive measures will be in place in the future.
