'I am utterly baffled': South Korean president blames coach, alleges favouritism after World Cup exit

South Korea's FIFA World Cup campaign in North America ended early after successive losses to Mexico and South Africa left the team third in Group A, outside the eight best third-placed teams that advanced to the round of 32.

This is the first time South Korea failed to advance past the group stage since the 2018 Russia World Cup.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has since blamed the country's early exit on favouritism in personnel appointments, criticised head coach Hong Myung-bo, and called for an investigation into the national team's performance by the sports ministry.

"I am utterly baffled"

In a post on X on Jun. 28, Lee wrote: "I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome, I am utterly baffled."

"Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions are everything. When 'us versus them' is prioritised over competence, and an incompetent person is selected as a leader, the outcome is as clear as day."

Lee argued that such flawed appointments were possible because those with the authority to make them were difficult to monitor, scrutinise and hold accountable.

"The reason such botched appointments — which fail to distinguish between public and private interests and prioritise personal gain over the public good — are possible is that it is impossible or difficult to monitor, check, and hold those with appointment authority accountable."

최휘영 장관님과 관련 공무원 여러분 애쓰셨습니다.

저도 전임 명예 프로축구단장이자 심정적 붉은악마로서 예상밖 결과에 당황을 넘어 황당함을 느낍니다.

결국 인사가 만사임이 다시 한번 증명됐습니다. 능력보다 네편내편을 더 중시해 무능한 사람을 지휘관으로 선발하면 결과는 불보듯… https://t.co/wNwtKlo1qY

— 이재명 (@Jaemyung_Lee) June 28, 2026

Petition to dismiss coach

Hong's re-appointment as national team manager in 2024 had previously sparked allegations of favouritism and a lack of transparency in the hiring process from South Korean media, Reuters reported.

However, those allegations had been denied by Hong.

According to local media outlet The Chosun Daily, a 2025 petition which called for Hong’s dismissal and transparency in the process of appointing the national team coach has also resurfaced following South Korea's loss.

The petition had closed after failing to gather the 50,000 signatures required for it to be referred to the National Assembly's Standing Committee.

Meanwhile, social media posts showing shops displaying signs banning Hong from entering their premises have gone viral in South Korea.

"The failure to qualify, which has left the public deeply disappointed, appears to be the result of organisational and personnel failures," Lee wrote in his post.

"I ask ⁠that the ​Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism thoroughly ​investigate the exact circumstances of this incident, analyse its causes, and develop measures to prevent ​recurrence and ensure improvement."