According to South Korean media outlet NewsTV, former South Korean men's national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo returned to South Korea last week and is currently remaining in the country.
A source within the football industry revealed in an interview: "Former head coach Hong Myung-bo is preparing to attend a hearing of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (CSC) as a witness."
Hong Myung-bo departed for Los Angeles, USA, where his family resides, on the 2nd of this month, prompting criticism that he was using the trip as an opportunity to flee. He explained, "I received threats against my family and am concerned for my personal safety," and stated his intention to attend a hearing.
Hong Myung-bo took office as head coach of the South Korean national team in July 2024, but his appointment was met with fierce criticism from fans due to procedural legality controversies.
At the World Cup, the South Korean team was placed in Group A, which was considered to have a relatively favorable schedule (opponents in the same group: Mexico, South Africa, and the Czech Republic), but ultimately only managed 1 win and 2 losses, failing to advance to the round of 32.
After the national team was eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup, with seven months left on his contract, Hong Myung-bo resigned voluntarily, but the related controversy did not subside.
The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee will hold a hearing on the 30th related to the Korea Football Association, summoning former head coach Hong Myung-bo as a witness. The hearing will question him on issues such as the legality of the head coach selection process, the reasons for the poor performance in the World Cup, his responsibility in commanding the tournament, and the details of his return to the United States.
