Hong Myung-bo to attend parliamentary hearing on issues in Korean soccer

Hong Myung-bo proclaims his resignation as head coach of the Korean males’s nationwide soccer group at a press convention held on June 29, 2026, on the Chivas Verde Valle coaching facility in Zapopan, Mexico. (Yonhap)

Former South Korea males’s nationwide soccer group head coach Hong Myung-bo pledged to “bear accountability” as he confirmed Wednesday that he would attend a parliamentary listening to on points within the administration of the Korea Soccer Affiliation. 

“The accountability for the end result [of Korea’s elimination from the World Cup] lies solely with me, the top coach. If a listening to is held, I alone will bear the accountability that falls on me as head coach,” he stated, expressing his intent to attend the July 22 listening to by the Nationwide Meeting’s Tradition, Sports activities and Tourism Committee.

Hong on Thursday issued a press release titled “A Message to the Individuals.”

“I sincerely apologize to the Korean individuals who have cherished and supported Korean soccer. I didn’t stay as much as your expectations and help and ended up disappointing and hurting lots of you,” he wrote. 

“If a listening to is held, I’ll see it as a possibility to elucidate the outcomes of the World Cup to the general public,” he added. “If that’s the case, the one who must be there may be me, the top coach.” 

That morning, the committee handed a movement to carry a listening to on points on the Korea Soccer Affiliation (KFA) and set the date for July 22 at 10 am. 13 individuals, together with Hong and former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, have been named witnesses, with 10 others, together with Park Ji-sung, co-chair of the Ok-Soccer Innovation Committee, and group captain Son Heung-min, to supply testimony.

“I’ll inform the individuals the info as I do know them and as precisely as they’re, and won’t dodge any query,” Hong stated.

On why he issued his assertion, he stated, “Over time, false info was reported as reality and unconfirmed tales have been added to the combo. After seeing gamers and employees who devoted themselves to the nationwide group get caught up in misunderstanding and hypothesis within the course of, I started to marvel if remaining silent was actually the precise factor to do.”

Hong on June 29 introduced his resignation on the group’s coaching camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, taking accountability for Korea’s failure to advance within the FIFA World Cup. He has since avoided commenting on the event and flew to Los Angeles two days after returning to Korea following the competitors.

“I didn’t select to remain within the US to disregard or keep away from the implications. On the time, threats have been directed at me and my household, and considerations arose over our private security, and as head of my family, I needed to shield my household,” Hong stated. “I categorically deny the notion that I turned a blind eye to my duties as head coach or tried to keep away from the general public.”

By Nam Ji-eun, employees reporter

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