South Korean leader says sorry following early tournament elimination from the World Cup

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung condemned the country’s premature World Cup exit on Sunday, pointing the finger at “incompetent people” and apologising to the nation.

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South Korea’s turbulent campaign in North America ended at the group phase and could lead to the international retirement of captain Son Heung-min.

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After three days of anxious waiting to see if they would squeeze into the knockout rounds as one of the eight third-placed finishers, results went against South Korea to send them home.

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Deeply unpopular coach Hong Myung-bo is sure to be fired or will quit, and the nation’s president promised wholesale reform.

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“When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but inevitable,” Lee said in a post on X.

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“I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment caused by this unacceptable outcome.

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“We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing like this happens again,” he added, without elaborating.

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South Korea had the last 32 at the World Cup within grasp only to suffer a shock 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa.

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The much-maligned coach Hong caused a surprise when he dropped the attacking talisman Son to the bench in a gamble that backfired.

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They finished third in Group A behind the co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, having also lost 1-0 to Mexico.

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They beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to start their World Cup, but that was as good as it got for Hong and the fading Son.

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The criticism back home was immediately fierce, with Hong firmly in the firing line.

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Yonhap News Agency called South Korea’s exit “dismal”.

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“The national team suffered the humiliation of a 2026 World Cup group-stage exit after three days of agonising hope,” Yonhap said.

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South Korea’s tournament was overshadowed by a row between the squad and local media, while a drone also buzzed a crucial training session before the Mexico defeat.

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Former Tottenham attacker Son, who now plays for Los Angeles FC, has hinted in the past at international retirement.

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The daily Sports Chosun expects that to be it now for the player who has carried South Korea so often and scored 56 goals for his country.

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“Son Heung-min’s final World Cup ends in heartbreak,” a headline said.

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He turns 34 next month.

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AFP

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