South Korea failed to advance to the final 32 of this World Cup, and head coach Hong Myung-bo has become the target of public criticism. Despite his resignation, death threats against him continue to appear online, and restaurants have banned him from entering. Police are also continuing to investigate allegations that his appointment process was illegal.
According to South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo, after South Korea’s dream of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage was shattered, threatening remarks against Hong Myung-bo surged online. A person claiming to be a 41-year-old U.S. citizen posted yesterday: “I will take responsibility for killing Hong Myung-bo… I will go to Incheon International Airport and kill him the day he returns home.”
South Korean police stated they will track down all those who posted death threats online and will closely monitor the situation to prevent any unforeseen incidents, especially at Incheon Airport. According to the Korea Football Association (KFA), Hong Myung-bo and eight players are scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
Some South Korean restaurant owners were so angry that they banned Hong Myung-bo from entering and patronizing their establishments. A Korean pub in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, posted a notice at its entrance, while a barbecue restaurant in Gimje, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, announced the news on social media on the 26th.
The owner of a bar in Anyang told Yonhap News Agency, “I posted the notice after the match against South Africa. I was very angry after watching the game, and I think many people are like me, angry and disappointed that he (Hong Myung-bo) failed to demonstrate his ability as head coach.”
An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said at a press briefing today that there have been eight complaints related to Hong Myung-bo’s appointment as head coach, and investigators are conducting relevant legal reviews and other investigations.
In early July 2024, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul received a complaint alleging that Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu was involved in obstruction of business and breach of trust in the appointment of Hong Myung-bo. Police stated that the investigation was delayed because it was necessary to await the outcome of related administrative litigation.
In April of this year, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the actions taken by the South Korean Football Association in selecting Hong Myung-bo as the best candidate for head coach by its National Team Strengthening Committee were illegal
