Former national soccer team head coach Hong Myung-bo, addressing soccer figures criticizing the Korea Football Association, said, "It seems we should create a structure where, by coming into the field and working hard, we can make changes," adding, "It would be good if younger people came in and fixed what's difficult."
Hong attended a hearing at the National Assembly on the 30th as a witness before the Culture. Sports. and Tourism Committee. Lawmakers exchanged questions and answers over the controversy about unfairness in the process of appointing the national team manager and over who was responsible for the group-stage exit at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
At the end of the hearing, he noted regarding former national team players who have recently highlighted problems at the soccer association on YouTube and elsewhere, "The association should not take such voices lightly."
When Cho Eun-hee of the People Power Party asked, "How can the soccer association's organizational culture be changed?" he said, "I don't think it happens because any one person does the job well," and added, "I also acknowledge that unless all soccer people make an effort and pool their strength to change it together, it is a structure that does not change easily."
He went on, "It's good to play a constructive role from the outside, to talk, and to offer sharp criticism, but if you come inside and realize how hard the reality is, then you will feel responsible and be able to change more," adding, "There are many barren conditions, but if you come in and work, things will improve faster."
After concluding the hearing, Hong met with reporters and said, "It's a pity that this ends with a hearing, but I think I have explained everything about what happened before."