All Gone South - South Korea Did So Badly At The World Cup That The Government Have Launched a Full Investigation

South Korea's Insane World Cup Exit

Have you ever had a bad day at work? Of course you have, but I doubt many of them will quite match the scale surrounding South Korea's early exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The co-hosts of the 2002 tournament got things off to a strong start with a comeback win over Czechia, but miserable performances against South Africa and current co-hosts Mexico saw them bounced out in an untimely manner.

South Korea arrived back to a frosty reception following their World Cup group stage exit. pic.twitter.com/qfWLkiiH7j

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 30, 2026

The reaction to the group stage exit has been... unsavoury to say the least.

In the days following their elimination, their manager Hong Myung-bo has gone through the ringer and then some. He's been on the end of bomb threats, petitions to have him removed as the manager (though he quit on his own regard) and banned from shops in his native country. Now, incredibly, the president of the country has called for a full-scale investigation into their performances over the tournament.

Not the best way to bow out of a summer tournament, is it?

Bombs, Banning and Bereautic Behaviour

Hong, who is 57, was targeted with death threats following South Korea's slumping elimination from the World Cup, even though the gaffer had already resigned in shame from his post.

And now, the Incheon Metropolitan Police have announced that around 160 riot and airport police will be deployed to the airport for their return home later today, Tuesday the 30th of June. On top of that, 25 specialist security guards will also be on hand in the midst of the threats against the manager.

A statement from the police said:

“We have decided to deploy officers to prevent safety accidents that may occur during the entry process. We will respond strictly to any illegal acts, including the throwing of objects.”

With the serious stuff out of the way (we do hope Hong Myung-Bo returns safely), the reaction from the presidential elite has been rather funny to behold.

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.

President Lee appeared to criticise the South Korean football association’s (KFA) appointment of head… pic.twitter.com/cDfgQXKcrv

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 28, 2026

A report from NBC News read:

"South Korea president Lee Jae Myung is calling for an investigation into the country’s poor World Cup showing and ensuing resignation of coach Hong Myung-bo. Lee said he was “utterly baffled” by the showing and questioned why Hong was selected as coach.

"Lee said the amount of taxpayer funds used for the squad’s participation in the World Cup demands a deep review.

"He called for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to investigate and said the government should reform the country’s sports administration."

Imagine if we had had that back in 2014, when we in England were unceremoniously discarded from the World Cup in Brasil having mustered up just a single point against Costa Rica, getting bounced out at the group stage? David Cameron striding out of Downing Street to his lectern and announcing that playing Phil Jones at fullback and Danny Welbeck on the wing was now a matter of national security. And imagine what would have become of Woy Hodgson?

Either way, South Korea are absolutely football mad, second maybe only to Japan when it comes to passion for the sport out in Asia. So maybe such a massive reaction to the elimination was to be expected by some. But good lord, when you read president Lee Jae Myung's quotes...

“Given that significant national taxpayer funds and state support resources are invested even in World Cup participation, I ask that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism thoroughly investigate the precise circumstances of this incident, analyze its causes, and develop thorough measures for preventing recurrence and improvement.

“We will swiftly push forward with reforms to sports administration to ensure such a thing never happens again.”

They're going to have him shot out of a cannon from the sounds of things.