As criticism mounted against coach Hong Myung-bo after the Korea men's national soccer team failed to reach the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, police opened an investigation after threatening posts appeared online. Police are also preparing for the possibility of unexpected incidents during the team's return to Korea.
According to police and others on the 29th, posts and videos vowing to throw eggs at Hong have been spreading on social media and online communities. Some soccer fans are criticizing Hong for a lack of tactics and say he is responsible for the World Cup slump.
◇"It is difficult to take personal safety measures based on online threats alone"
One online community also carried a post implying an intent to kill Hong. The author reportedly wrote that they would go to Incheon Airport on the day Hong returns and cause harm. The post has since been deleted.
Police believe the post could constitute criminal threats and are tracking down the author. With Hong and the national team scheduled to return on the 30th, authorities are closely monitoring the situation at the airport to prevent any unexpected incidents.
However, there is an outlook that mere online threats will make it difficult to apply "crime victim personal safety measures" to Hong.
Crime victim personal safety measures are a system under which police and prosecutors protect victims who have been harmed by or are at risk of harm from a perpetrator during an investigation or trial. Measures can include issuing a smartwatch with location tracking or stepping up 112 patrols around a residence and along travel routes.
A criminal defense attorney said, "Police are not a security company, and it is realistically difficult to step in with protection based solely on threatening posts," adding, "If someone makes threatening phone calls or text messages directly to Hong and Hong becomes a victim under the anti-stalking law, then it could be applied."
Another attorney, a former police officer, also noted, "Separate from preparing for incidents and accidents that may occur in public places, it appears difficult for police to go as far as providing crime victim personal safety measures."
◇Private security costs tens of thousands of won a day… some around 1.8 million won
Using a private security company varies greatly in expense depending on the firm, staffing, and hours of protection. Publicly posted one-person protection expense on company websites averages about 225,000 won per day, and some firms quote up to around 1.8 million won per day.
With about six months left in his term, Hong took responsibility for poor results and expressed his intent to resign. At a press conference on the 28th in Zapopan, Mexico, he said, "All responsibility for failing to deliver the results the public expected lies with me as coach," adding, "The position of coach is one where no explanation can come before the results."
He added, "I am stepping down as coach, but that does not mean I am setting aside my commitment to Korean soccer," and said, "I hope the national team grows into a team that can again earn the public's trust and love."