Chinese Media Defends Hong Myung-bo: "Is This Just the Coach's Problem?... Koreans Need to Remain Calm"

"Many Countries Do Not Even Qualify for the World Cup"

After the South Korean national football team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 North American World Cup, criticism toward head coach Hong Myung-bo has continued. In this context, China's state-run media pointed out that excessive criticism should be refrained from.

Chinese Media: "The World Is Surprised by South Korea's Intense Reaction"

Hong Myung-bo, the former head coach of the South Korean national football team who resigned taking responsibility for failing to qualify for the Round of 32 in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, is returning to Korea through Incheon Airport on the morning of the 30th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On June 30, the social networking service (SNS) account "New Tanqin," affiliated with China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, posted that "South Korea set the worst record in the team's history and exited the World Cup in a gloomy fashion; the intense reactions from across South Korea have astonished the world," adding, "Koreans need to remain calm."

The outlet noted that the welcoming event for the national team was canceled and that criticism toward Coach Hong has continued, stating, "The disappointment and anger of Korean fans are certainly understandable, especially considering the national character of Koreans." However, it also commented, "Equating a defeat in the game with betrayal goes far beyond the bounds of sports and is closer to an outpouring of social emotion."

Furthermore, the media asserted, "Coach Hong clearly cannot avoid responsibility, but if we look deeper, is this really just a problem with one individual? No system collapses because of a single person; it's just that people tend to shift all the blame onto the most visible figure."

The post continued, "Considering the Korean stock market is doing so well, the defeat of Korea’s men’s football team could be seen as a kind of law of conservation of energy, or perhaps a reminder that if you gain something, you also lose something, so don’t rejoice too much." It added, "There are so many countries in the world, and a considerable number do not even qualify for the World Cup. If Koreans are so angry, where does that leave the Chinese national team?"

Hong Myung-bo: "I Will Step Down as Head Coach...All Responsibility Lies With Me"

Former national soccer team coach Hong Myung-bo, who recorded the worst performance in history by failing to advance to the round of 32 in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, is returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the 30th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Previously, the South Korean national football team finished third in Group A in the World Cup group stage, with a record of one win and two losses. The team failed to secure a ticket to the Round of 32, which is awarded to the top eight third-placed teams. Ultimately, Coach Hong resigned, taking responsibility for the poor results.

The previous day, at the team’s base camp in Zapopan, Mexico, Coach Hong said, "I cannot say that every decision I made was always right," but added, "The sole standard for all my decisions was always Korean football." He continued, "I failed to deliver the results the people of Korea were hoping for," and concluded, "All responsibility lies with me as the head coach."

After reading his prepared statement, Coach Hong did not take any questions from the press. Hong Myung-bo, who was appointed on July 8, 2024, was originally contracted to serve until the Asian Cup in January 2027. However, he stepped down about half a year early, taking responsibility for failing to reach the Round of 32 in the World Cup.

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