South Korea coach Hong grilled by MPs over World Cup flop

Former South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo before a match, Sep 5, 2024. (File photo: REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon) 30 Jul 2026 01:53PM SEOUL: Former South Korea football coach Hong Myung-bo told lawmakers Thursday (Jul 30) that he took "full responsibility" for his team's failure to advance from their group at the World Cup.Hong resigned after the elimination, but appeared Thursday at a hearing for parliament's sports and culture committee probe into the actions of the Korea Football Association (KFA).Hong, a former South Korea defender who played in the 2002 World Cup at home, has been pilloried by fans, pundits and politicians since his side were eliminated by a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa.Hong was jeered at the airport on his return by fans dismayed over the decision to drop veteran skipper S