Park Hang-seo: "We are sorry... The Korea Football Association will prepare for the future through deep self-reflection"

[Financial News] Park Hang-seo, vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) and head of South Korea's national football team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bowed his head after the team was knocked out in the group stage.
According to Newsis and others on the 29th, Park issued a statement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup review press conference held at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, that day.
Park said, "As the head of the team, I offer my deepest apologies on behalf of the Korea Football Association for failing to meet the public's expectations."
He added, "Our players, coaching staff, and support staff did their best to prepare for the tournament, but in the end we failed to deliver results that could repay the support of the public. The Korea Football Association must now prepare for the future again through painful self-reflection and introspection, so that Korean football can make a fresh start after this disappointing World Cup."
The South Korea national football team led by Hong Myung-bo finished third in Group A of the 2026 World Cup with one win and two losses, failing to advance to the round of 32.
Meanwhile, Hong announced his intention to resign, taking responsibility for the team's group-stage exit.
The South Korea national football team under Hong Myung-bo will return home on the 30th via Incheon International Airport without a welcome ceremony.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which was also widely regarded as South Korea's worst World Cup performance, the team held a homecoming event. This time, however, it is expected to return quietly without any separate reception.
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Su-yeon Reporter