"If I Am Called, I Will Go" - Hong Myung-bo Expresses Willingness to Attend Parliamentary Hearing... Will He Speak on the World Cup Disaster?

Resigned and Departed After Failing to Reach World Cup Round of 32

Expected to Be Summoned as a Witness Alongside Chung Mong-gyu

Coach Appointment and Association Management Emerge as Key Hearing Issues

It has been reported that former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, who stepped down to take responsibility for South Korea's poor performance in the World Cup, has expressed his intention to attend a parliamentary hearing. On the 7th, Channel A reported that former coach Hong conveyed his willingness to attend the hearing, saying through an official from the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation, "If a parliamentary hearing is held, I intend to attend," and "If I am called, I will go."

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

Former coach Hong resigned after the Korean national team failed to advance to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup. The team finished the group stage with 1 win and 2 losses, earning 3 points and failing to progress to the tournament. Afterward, Hong held a press conference at the team's base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he announced his resignation.

Controversy continued over his actions after returning to South Korea. On the 30th of last month, Hong returned home via Incheon International Airport with the national team, and two days later, on the 2nd, he departed for Los Angeles, United States, where his family resides. When he met with reporters at the airport at that time, he said, "There are things I want to say, and someday I'll be able to talk about them properly." Regarding whether he would attend the hearing, he replied, "I don't know. I don't know when I'll be back in the country," thus avoiding a clear answer.

However, now that he has expressed his intention to attend the hearing through an associate, there is an increasing possibility that he will directly address the World Cup disappointment and controversies surrounding the management of the national team. An official from the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation stated, "Although former coach Hong resigned to take responsibility for the team's poor World Cup performance, he also believes that it is a coach's duty to protect the players until the end." The official added, "He intends to attend the hearing to explain circumstances that he has not previously disclosed, so that the players do not become targets of criticism or face any problems."

Hong Myung-bo, head coach of the South Korea national football team, is drinking water while attending a current issues inquiry regarding the Korea Football Association at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held in the National Assembly. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

At the parliamentary hearing, not only the disappointing World Cup performance but also the process of appointing former coach Hong and the management issues of the Korea Football Association are expected to be major topics. The hearing is reportedly being considered for around the 22nd, and former Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu, who resigned on the 6th, along with former coach Hong, are being mentioned as key witnesses.

A police investigation is also being conducted separately. The case concerning allegations surrounding Hong's appointment has been transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the Special Investigation Unit of the agency will take over the case. With the early World Cup exit, the coach's resignation, the association president's resignation, the police investigation, and the parliamentary hearing, the aftermath surrounding Korean football is expected to continue for some time.

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