South Korean football coach Hong Myung-bo was greeted by angry supporters and heavy security upon his return home following the country’s disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign.
Authorities deployed a large-scale security operation at Incheon International Airport amid fears of unrest and reports of online death threats directed at the coach. The security presence came after South Korea suffered its worst World Cup performance in history, finishing 34th out of 48 participating nations.
The tense atmosphere highlighted the growing frustration among supporters who had expected far better results from one of Asia’s traditional football powerhouses.
Massive Security Operation At Airport
According to local reports, more than 200 fans gathered at the airport after learning about the national team’s arrival schedule.
To prevent potential disturbances, the Incheon Police Agency deployed 160 personnel, including airport police officers and three mobile riot police units from the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency.
An additional 25 special security guards and airport personnel were assigned by the Incheon International Airport Corporation to help manage the crowd and ensure the team’s safe passage through the terminal.
Police established a secured route from the arrival hall to waiting vehicles outside the airport, allowing players and officials to leave while minimising direct contact with angry supporters.
Fans Vent Frustration Over Historic Failure
Witnesses reported that jeers and boos intensified when Hong Myung-bo appeared alongside senior football officials.
The hostile reception reflected widespread disappointment over South Korea’s early exit from the tournament. It was also the first time since 2002 that the national team returned from an overseas World Cup without an official airport welcome event.
Many supporters have criticised both the team’s performances and the leadership decisions made by the Korea Football Association in the lead-up to the tournament.
The situation became serious enough that authorities took extra precautions due to threatening messages circulating online targeting members of the coaching staff.
Coach Resigns After Tournament Exit
Before returning home, Hong announced that he would step down as national team coach and accepted responsibility for the team’s failure.
During a press conference, he apologised to supporters and acknowledged that the squad had fallen short of expectations.
His resignation came amid mounting criticism from both fans and political leaders.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly criticised the process that led to Hong’s appointment, describing it as a flawed decision and calling for an investigation into the reasons behind the national team’s poor showing.
The president also urged authorities to review football governance and implement measures to prevent similar disappointments in future international tournaments.
Group Stage Exit Ends World Cup Dream
South Korea began its campaign positively with a 2-1 victory over Czechia. However, back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Mexico and South Africa proved costly.
Under the expanded World Cup format, some third-placed teams could still advance to the knockout stage. However, South Korea ranked only 10th among the 12 third-placed teams, leaving them outside the qualification positions.
The elimination marked one of the darkest chapters in the country’s football history and triggered intense scrutiny of the national team’s management structure.
With public anger still running high and calls for reform growing louder, South Korean football officials now face increasing pressure to rebuild confidence ahead of future international competitions.