Slammed by President, banned from the streets: South Korea coach faces fury after World Cup exit

South Korea manager Hong Myung-bo has found himself at the centre of an extraordinary public backlash after his side were eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage.

The former national captain saw his team fall to South Africa in their last group game, a result that sealed their early exit from the tournament and triggered immediate outrage back home.

Hours after the defeat, Hong announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure.

The reaction in South Korea has been intense and unusually public.

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Fans expressed their anger across social media, while some television broadcasters reportedly blurred his image during post-match coverage, a move interpreted by many as a sign of national frustration.

The backlash has even spilled into everyday life.

Images circulating online showed a supermarket and a barbecue restaurant displaying signs banning Hong from entering their premises, reflecting the depth of disappointment among sections of the public.

The criticism has also reached the highest level of government. President Lee Jae-myung publicly condemned the team’s performance, blaming what he described as “incompetent people” in charge of football administration.

He also announced plans to oversee a formal review into South Korea’s World Cup failure.

The fallout has left Hong’s reputation under severe strain, turning what was once a celebrated football figure into a symbol of national disappointment.

FKA/JE

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