Hong Myung-bo apologizes for World Cup exit, vows to answer all questions at hearing

Hong Myung-bo, Korea's former national football team manager, apologized on Thursday for the team's group-stage elimination from the World Cup and pledged to attend a parliamentary hearing later this month, saying he would "avoid no questions."

Hong made the remarks through a statement released via the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation, titled "A Message to the People."

He opened the statement by saying, "First, I sincerely apologize to all the citizens who have loved and cheered on Korean football."

He continued, "Despite taking on the heavy responsibility of national team manager, I failed to deliver the results that citizens expected at the World Cup. All responsibility for that outcome lies with me as manager. I failed to live up to your expectations and support, and I caused disappointment and hurt to many people. As manager, I take that responsibility seriously and once again offer my deepest apology."

Hong stepped down as national team manager on June 28, failing to prevent the team's group-stage elimination from the World Cup. The Taeguk Warriors finished third in Group A with one win and two losses, failing to advance to the round of 32 despite being drawn into a group many considered favorable.

He has since been accused of leadership failure, with backlash also rising over the reportedly unclear hiring process by the Korea Football Association (KFA). But just two days after returning to Korea from the World Cup, he departed for Los Angeles, where his family lives and has largely stayed mum. 

Explaining his silence, Hong said, "After the World Cup ended, the first thing I had to do was accept the result. I believed the team's outcome was something I, as manager, had to bear. That is why I was unable to share my position with the public until now."

He continued, "As time passed, things that were not true began circulating as if they were fact, and unverified stories were added on top of that. Above all, watching the players and staff who had devoted themselves to the team alongside me get caught up in misunderstanding and speculation made me reconsider whether staying silent was truly the right thing to do."

He also addressed his stay in the United States.

"Staying in the United States was not a choice made to avoid or evade the outcome, either. At the time, there were threats directed at me and my family, and concerns for our safety, and as the head of my household I had to protect my family," he said. "But under no circumstances did I intend to avoid my duties as manager or to avoid the public."

Hong also addressed the upcoming hearing. Earlier that day, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee voted to adopt a plan to hold a hearing on pending issues concerning the KFA, scheduling it for July 22. The committee said the main points of questioning for Hong would include the legitimacy of his hiring process, the causes of the team's poor World Cup performance and his responsibility for match management, and the circumstances surrounding his return to the United States after coming back to Korea.

"If the hearing is held, I believe it will be a forum to explain the World Cup results to the public. If that is the case, then I am the person who should stand there as manager," Hong said. "Responsibility for the result rests entirely with me as manager. That is why, if the hearing is held, I will bear the responsibility I must carry as manager alone, to the end. I will tell the public exactly what I know, as it is, and I will not avoid any questions."

BY PARK LIN [[email protected]]