S. Korea’s early World Cup exit sparks anger and calls for reforms

Critics say structural governance problems, and not talent, limiting S. Korean football

- Wendy Teo

The shock from South Korea’s early exit from the World Cup is reverberating far and wide, with President Lee Jae Myung calling for a national inquest into the national team’s leadership and the Korea Football Association (KFA).

The deep disappointment has cast a spotlight on entrenched problems relating to the governance of one of South Korea’s most popular sports.

Many lament the Taegeuk Warriors’ failure to make the knockout stages as an unconscionable squandering of talent in what is widely regarded as its strongest-ever squad.

“When favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper,” President Lee said in an X.com post on June 28.

Expressing “utter bewilderment” at the unexpected outcome, which he said appeared to be “a failure of organisation and personnel”, Lee also called for an investigation into the team’s failings and a reform of the country’s football administration.

The Taegeuk Warriors were expected to make it out of the group stage but were foiled in the final group match by a surprise defeat to South Africa on June 24, a team ranked more than 20 spots lower in the world rankings.

South Korea also lost to co-host Mexico after starting the competition with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. They eventually finished third in Group A, but failed to qualify for the Round of 32 as one of top-eight third-ranked teams with its inferior goal difference.

National team coach Hong Myung-bo’s resignation in the aftermath has failed to quell public anger.