SOUTH KOREA COACH HONG MYUNG-BO RESIGNS AFTER WORLD CUP EXIT

Hong Myung-bo resigned as South Korea's coach on Sunday following the team's early elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The resignation came after heavy criticism from South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung. Lee called for a government investigation into the team's early exit from the tournament.

Lee criticised the process by which Hong was hired, stating that "favouritism and cronyism" were favoured over "competence" in the appointment. The president's public rebuke of Hong's hiring marked an escalation in scrutiny of the team's World Cup performance. South Korea's early departure from the competition triggered the broader questions about the selection and management of the national team.

Hong's resignation removes the immediate focal point of the controversy surrounding South Korea's tournament campaign. The circumstances of his departure—following both on-pitch failure and presidential intervention—reflected heightened political interest in the outcomes of major sporting events. No statement on Hong's successor or the terms of his departure has been confirmed at this stage.