South Korea takes drastic action to protect football team returning from disastrous World Cup

FootballSports
30 Jun 2026 • 1:11 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

South Korea takes drastic action to protect football team returning from disastrous World Cup

  • South Korea's national football team is returning home to a heightened security presence following their disastrous World Cup campaign, amid death threats directed at their manager, Hong Myung-bo.
  • Riot police and airport security personnel, totalling 185 officers, will be deployed at Incheon International Airport to prevent any unexpected situations and respond strictly to “illegal acts” upon the team's arrival.
  • Manager Hong Myung-bo has resigned in national disgrace after the team failed to advance past the group stage, losing to South Africa and Mexico following an initial win against Czech Republic.
  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung publicly criticised Hong, branding him “incapable” and lambasting the team's performance, ordering a complete review of the national team programme and condemning decisions based on “loyalty and factionalism”.
  • The police deployment follows social media threats to kill Hong, whose face was even blurred on national television, highlighting the intense public anger over the team's early exit from the tournament.

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