South Korea calls for overhaul following disappointing early departure from World Cup

South Korea's disappointing first-round exit from the World Cup has ignited widespread outrage and demands for a thorough overhaul, which have not been placated by coach Hong Myung-bo's resignation, sparking a national debate about the team's future.

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The team's inability to advance to the knockout stage as one of the top eight third-place finishers has been met with particular dismay, given their impressive performance as co-hosts in 2002, when they reached the semi-finals.

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A shocking 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa ultimately sealed their fate, leaving them just shy of a spot in the last 32, and prompting coach Hong to step down on Sunday, casting uncertainty over the international career of captain Son Heung-min.

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President Lee Jae Myung has also weighed in, issuing a stern rebuke of the team and pointing to "incompetent people" as the cause of their failure, while apologizing to the nation for the disappointment.

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These comments reflect the deep-seated frustration that has been building among the public, with former captain Park Ji-sung noting that the outcome was perhaps predictable, saying "We may have expected this outcome years ago."

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Park Ji-sung further emphasized the need for introspection, stating "We have to look back and ask ourselves why things have come to this," and lamenting that despite a decade of efforts to prepare for the World Cup and develop Korean football, the team has forgotten the lessons of the past.

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South Korea had been expected to navigate a relatively manageable Group A, which included co-hosts Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic, but after a promising 2-1 win over the Czechs, they suffered a 1-0 loss to Mexico and a debilitating defeat to South Africa.

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The team is scheduled to return home on Tuesday morning, but local media reports suggest that the Korea Football Association (KFA) does not plan to organize a welcoming event, a decision that may be influenced by the hostile reception the team received in 2014, when fans pelted them with Korean candies upon their return from the World Cup in Brazil.

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Coach Hong has faced intense criticism since his reappointment in July 2024, with many questioning the transparency and fairness of the process, and his decision to drop star player Son for the crucial South Africa game has been particularly contentious.

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Hong's struggles to understand the team's shortcomings have been evident, and he has been a focal point for fan discontent, regularly being booed by supporters, and his resignation may be just the beginning of a broader shake-up.

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Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 World Cup team, has called for sweeping changes, saying "This is a message to change" and urging everyone involved to be prepared to step down, as the team's failure has sent shockwaves throughout the football community.

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KFA president Chung Mong-gyu has also been the target of significant anger, with many criticizing his 13-year tenure and his attempts to pardon former players banned for life for match-fixing, and he has announced plans to quit after the World Cup, citing his "lack of virtue".

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The future of captain Son Heung-min, who turns 34 next month, remains uncertain, with the skipper having previously hinted at retiring from international football, and former captain Park Ji-sung has emphasized the need for the team to learn from past mistakes and move forward in a positive direction.

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Park Ji-sung's comments have highlighted the need for a new approach, saying "It's unfortunate that this kind of cycle keeps repeating" and stressing that the team must "dream of and shape a better future, and move forward step by step so that we don't repeat these mistakes".