The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee approved a resolution on 9/7 to hold a hearing concerning the Korean Football Association (KFA). Scheduled for 22/7, the hearing will involve 13 witnesses and 10 referrers. Its purpose is to examine the 2026 World Cup failure and allegations of KFA mismanagement, including improper head coach appointments.

Key witnesses include former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu, former KFA Vice Presidents Park Hang-seo and Choi Young-il, former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, and former National Team Reinforcement Committee Chairman Chung Hae-seong (former technical director of TP HCM Club and HAGL). Notable referrers initially included national team players Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, along with former player Park Ji-sung, who serves on a FIFA Committee and is co-chair of the Korean Football Innovation Committee.

Park was appointed KFA Vice President for national team support in 4/2025. He traveled to Mexico to follow the team during the 2026 World Cup. However, the team's group stage exit led to widespread criticism. On 28/6, the former Vietnam national team coach bowed and apologized to the media, then submitted his resignation, which was accepted. Witnesses and referrers are not legally obligated to attend the hearing. Park has since traveled to Thailand to begin coaching Kanchanaburi FC in the First League, making his attendance at the hearing unlikely. South Korean newspaper Sports Chosun reported that the KFA will cooperate fully, but only "current officials are certain to attend".

KFA Vice President Park Hang-seo (second from left) with the South Korean national team at Incheon Airport, Seoul, on 30/6, after being eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. *Photo: SportQ*

The initial summons for Son Heung-min, who plays for Los Angeles FC in the US, and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves, England) drew significant public criticism in South Korea. "Summoning players to investigate KFA's management deficiencies is illogical," a Sports Chosun article stated, reflecting concerns that "the hearing could devolve into a trivial event or mere spectacle".

Son Heung-min disappointed after South Korea's 0-1 loss to South Africa in the final match of 2026 World Cup Group A, at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, on 24/6. *Photo: AP*

Today, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee withdrew its decision to summon the two players. Congresswoman Im Oh-kyung of the Democratic Party of Korea, also a senior member of the Committee, explained that the decision followed comprehensive consideration of party members' opinions, player schedules, and their positions. Im stated, "The original purpose was not to burden the players, but to gather input from various sides to create the best possible hearing".

Meanwhile, coach Hong Myung-bo affirmed he would not shirk responsibility for the disappointing 2026 World Cup performance. He views this as an opportunity to explain his perspective to the public and will not avoid any questions. "As time passes, things far removed from the truth begin to spread as if they were facts, and unsubstantiated stories proliferate," Hong stated. "Players and coaching staff members who sacrificed so much for the national team have been caught in this storm, and I questioned whether silence was the right thing to do".