Police probes, death threats and restaurant bans: Hong's troubles mount after Korea's World Cup disgrace
Investigations into manager Hong Myung-bo’s hiring are expanding as police also track online death threats and public backlash after the Taeguk Warriors crashed out.
Korea national football team manager Hong Myung-bo announces he will step down during a post-World Cup press conference at the team's base camp at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 28.NEWS1
Investigations surrounding national football team manager Hong Myung-bo are mounting, ranging from allegations that the Korea Football Association (KFA) president interfered in his appointment to online death threats targeting him.
Eight complaints have been filed over Hong's appointment as national team manager, and investigators are conducting legal reviews and other inquiries, a Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said during a press briefing on Monday.
Earlier in July 2024, Seoul Jongno Police Station was assigned a complaint accusing KFA President Chung Mong-gyu of obstruction of business and breach of fiduciary duty regarding Hong's appointment. Police also booked Lee Lim-saeng, the KFA's technical director, who was also named in the complaint.
Police said the investigation had been delayed because it was necessary to wait for the outcome of related administrative litigation.
In April, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled against the KFA in its lawsuit seeking to overturn the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's request for severe disciplinary action against Chung. The court found that the KFA had acted unlawfully during the process in which its National Team Strengthening Committee selected Hong as the top candidate. Currently, the association has appealed the ruling.
Police are also looking into online threats against Hong, which surged after the Taeguk Warriors failed to advance to the World Cup's knockout stage.
A post titled "I'll take responsibility and kill Hong Myung-bo" appeared on an online community on Sunday. The author, claiming to be a 41-year-old U.S. citizen, wrote, "I'll go to Incheon International Airport and kill Hong Myung-bo on the day he returns."
Police said they will track down the authors of posts making death threats. They are also closely monitoring the situation to prevent any unexpected incidents, particularly at Incheon International Airport. According to the KFA, Hong and eight players are set to arrive at the airport on Tuesday.
Online ridicule of Hong has also spread. Another online community featured a post titled "Hong Myung-bo's final tactical instructions," showing an edited image of Hong telling players to run in different directions after arriving at the airport.
A sign that reads "Hong Myung-bo is banned from entering" is stuck on the door of a convenience store.SCREEN CAPTURE
Some business owners are also banning Hong from entering their establishments.
A bar in Anyang, Gyeonggi, displayed a sign at its entrance that read, "Hong Myung-bo is banned from entering."
"I put up the sign after the South Africa match," the owner told Yonhap News Agency. "I was very angry after watching this World Cup match. I think many people, like me, were angry and disappointed that he failed to demonstrate his abilities as a manager."
A barbecue restaurant in Gimje, North Jeolla, also posted on social media on Friday that Hong would be barred from entering until further notice.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
