‘Utterly baffled’: South Korea’s President unloads on coach after World Cup flameout

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly lambasted coach Hong Myung-bo as “incompetent” and ordered a government investigation after South Korea’s stunning early exit from the 2026 World Cup.

From @TheAthleticFC: South Korea president Lee Jae Myung says he is “utterly baffled” at the national team’s World Cup group-stage exit and called for the country’s sports ministry to investigate. https://t.co/rKE7hK3E2C

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 28, 2026

South Korea’s World Cup collapse has gone all the way to the top. President Lee Jae Myung took to X Sunday, declaring himself “utterly baffled” by the team’s group-stage elimination and calling head coach Hong Myung-bo flat-out “incompetent.” South Korea — expected to advance from a group featuring Mexico, Czechia, and South Africa — stumbled fatally Wednesday, losing 1-0 to South Africa and missing the Round of 32 cutoff.

Hong, who previously coached the national side from 2013-14 before being rehired in 2024, has since announced his resignation. President Lee, citing “organizational and personnel failures” and taxpayer resources invested in the tournament, directed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to formally investigate the circumstances surrounding South Korea’s early exit.
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