Hong Myung-Bo Walks Out With Hands in Pockets: Public Outrage Erupts, "Return Your 3.8 Billion Won Salary"

"Return Your Full Salary"... Criticism Spreads


Renewed Debate Over Selection Process and Association Responsibility

Coach Hong Myung-bo leaving after finishing his resignation press conference. Photo by Yonhap News Agency · KBS News broadcast footage capture

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the Korean national football team, who faced disappointing results at the CONCACAF World Cup, abruptly announced his resignation before returning to Korea. However, public criticism has only intensified due to his attitude during the resignation announcement, his brief statement, and now a controversy over his high salary. There is a growing call that the issue should not end with the resignation of Coach Hong alone, but that the Korea Football Association needs a sweeping personnel overhaul and should dismantle its network-based cartel.

Refusal to Take Questions: 1 Minute 30 Seconds Statement, Hands in Pockets While Exiting

On June 29 (Korean time), Coach Hong held a press conference at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, Mexico, to announce his intention to step down. However, controversy arose as he left immediately after reading a statement that lasted about 1 minute and 30 seconds, without holding any Q&A session.

The situation drew further criticism when a video showed him exiting the press room with both hands in his trouser pockets, which was seen as lacking a sense of responsibility. On various social networking services (SNS), criticism poured in, saying, "The explanations and apologies are excessively insufficient given the results."

Sports caster Park Jongyun remarked, "For Coach Hong, this moment may feel humiliating," and added, "He might be thinking, 'I served Korean football, so why are people reacting this way to me?'" Football YouTuber Gamst commented, "How can you ruin the national team like that and then just walk away as if nothing happened? Look at how he didn't take any questions and left with his hands in his pockets at the end."

Coach Hong Myung-Bo shows a somber expression during the Group A third match against South Africa at the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup held on the 24th (local time) at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. Photo by Yonhap News

Online users also criticized, saying, "Return your salary and leave," "He lacks both ability and qualification but enjoyed privileges just because he's from Korea University," "If you have any conscience, return your entire salary and resign," "There is no sincerity in his apology," "Resignation is obvious, but how will he take responsibility for the public’s expectations, disappointment, and anger?" "What about the lost time for the players?" and "I’m so upset I can’t sleep at night."

"This Is Not an Issue That Ends With One Coach"

The criticism is expanding from an individual issue to a structural responsibility. The question of accountability for the Korea Football Association officials who led the appointment of Coach Hong has resurfaced.

Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, has also expressed his intention to resign after this World Cup. However, both inside and outside the football community, there is a growing demand not just for a personnel change, but for a comprehensive overhaul of the entire organization. Given the series of problems that arose from the coach appointment process to the World Cup operation, many point out that more fundamental reforms are inevitable.

Even the 'Golden Generation' Could Not Break Through to the Round of 32

On June 28 (Korean time), Korea’s hopes of advancing to the round of 32 were dashed after the Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in the final Group K match of the group stage. With this tournament expanding to 48 countries, even the 8 best third-place teams from the 12 groups could secure a spot in the round of 32. However, Korea, finishing third in Group A, failed to qualify on their own and could not capitalize on their final chance, ending in disappointment.

Despite having members of the so-called 'golden generation' such as Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in, all of whom play at top European clubs, the team was eliminated from what was considered the 'easiest group ever,' which heightened calls for holding Coach Hong accountable. The national team started positively with a 2-1 comeback win against the Czech Republic in the first match, but then suffered consecutive 0-1 defeats to Mexico and South Africa.

On the 18th (local time), at the Zapopan Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, the second match of Group A in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup between Korea and Mexico took place. Head coach Hong Myung-bo of the national team is encouraging the players during the hydration break. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In particular, during the match against South Africa, even when desperately needing a goal while trailing 0-1, Coach Hong remained on the bench without making any significant tactical changes, only bringing on Son Heung-min late in the second half, showing a consistently passive approach. After the defeat, his comments in the post-match press conference, which blamed external factors rather than acknowledging tactical mistakes, further fueled outrage among football fans.

Salary Controversy Accelerates Deteriorating Public Opinion

Alongside poor results, the controversy over Coach Hong’s salary has reignited. According to recently released data from a global salary analysis firm, his annual salary is estimated at around 2.16 million euros (approximately 3.8 billion won), ranking 16th among the 48 coaches at the World Cup. This figure is more than double the salary of Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu, a strong contender at this tournament, who earns around 1.4 billion won.

As suspicions spread that a coach with historically poor results was receiving world-class compensation, fans’ sense of betrayal reached its peak. In response to the growing controversy, the Korea Football Association stated, "There is no significant difference from the previously known level," attempting to quell the issue, but failed to fully dispel doubts by not disclosing the exact amount.

What seemed to be concluded with Coach Hong’s resignation is now turning into a new phase. Demands for a fundamental review of the overall structure and decision-making system of the Korea Football Association, beyond just the coach’s personal fate, are growing stronger.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.