SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea’s exit from the FIFA World Cup in the group stage has been followed by the country’s president demanding an investigation, national team coach Hong Myung-bo resigning, and fans calling for reform of the Korea Football Association.
Here is why the team’s elimination has rippled into a controversy far beyond the pitch:
What happened at the World Cup?
South Korea opened Group A with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic but then lost 1-0 to Mexico and 1-0 to South Africa, finishing third and failing to qualify for the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
The expanded 48-team tournament had raised expectations that South Korea would reach the knockout stage, with local media labelling the squad a “golden generation” headlined by former Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min, Paris St Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae.
