"Why Are You Talking About That!" Did Hong Myung-bo and Son Heung-min Clash?... Jin Jong-oh Reveals

Jin Claims to Have Received a Tip About Locker Room Conflict Between Coach Hong Myung-bo and Players

As the fallout from South Korea's early exit from the 2026 North and Central America World Cup continues, claims have emerged that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were left out of the starting lineup for the third group stage match against South Africa due to "conflict with former coach Hong Myung-bo." However, both the Korea Football Association and Hong Myung-bo have denied these claims, stating that they are not true.

Son Heung-min and former coach Hong Myung-bo. Photo by Yonhap News

Jin Jong-oh, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, revealed on July 2 through KBS a report that Son Heung-min and former coach Hong Myung-bo had a confrontation in the locker room immediately after the group stage match against Mexico. Jin explained that he had confirmed the details with a highly reliable source and provided a detailed account of the situation at the time.

"There Was a Confrontation in the Locker Room"... Critical Tip After the Mexico Match

Jin stated, "After the match against Mexico, Son Heung-min was reportedly talking with the players in the locker room. Then, former coach Hong Myung-bo came in and asked, 'What are you talking about right now?' Son Heung-min replied, 'I'm discussing the match with the players.'"

Jin continued, "Former coach Hong Myung-bo responded, 'Why are you the one talking about that? That's my job,' and then told everyone, 'Everyone out.' I have confirmed the facts," Jin asserted. Based on this situation, Jin argued, "This was not merely an issue among the players, but rather, conflict between the coach and certain players negatively affected the team's performance."

Internal Disagreement Over Interview Boycott

Jin also claimed that internal conflict within the national team was evident during the interview boycott process. On June 7, the players decided to boycott interviews after conversations by some members of the press mocking Son Heung-min's military service exemption were made public at the training ground in Guadalajara, Mexico. According to Jin, internal discord arose over how long the boycott should continue.

On May 30th, at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, a friendly match between South Korea and Trinidad and Tobago took place. South Korean player Son Heung-min was substituted in the second half and is seen conversing with head coach Hong Myung-bo. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to Jin, Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung insisted on continuing the boycott, while other players were reportedly uncomfortable with not giving interviews for an extended period during the World Cup.

Subsequently, after the Mexico match, former coach Hong Myung-bo instructed the players to resume interviews, but Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung did not comply, according to Jin. He asserted that this conflict was "the reason Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were excluded from the lineup against South Africa."

Football Association and Hong Myung-bo: "Not True"

However, the Korea Football Association has stated that the exclusion of Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung from the starting lineup had nothing to do with the interview situation. The association explained, "It is true that we coordinated the resumption of interviews through meetings with the team," but refuted, "It is not true that Son Heung-min and Lee Jae-sung were excluded from the starting lineup because of this situation."

Former coach Hong Myung-bo also dismissed the rumors of internal conflict at a press conference after the loss to South Africa, saying, "The atmosphere was a bit unsettled after the Mexico match, but I do not think there was any problem within the squad."

Meanwhile, after returning to Korea following the World Cup, former coach Hong Myung-bo left for the United States again. There is talk in the National Assembly about holding a hearing, but it remains unclear whether Hong Myung-bo will return and appear at the hearing.

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