Former head coach of the South Korean national football team Hong Myung-bo apologized again for the group-stage exit at the North and Central America World Cup and said he will appear at a National Assembly hearing. He also addressed the ‘flight controversy’, saying he stayed in the United States after resigning immediately following the World Cup exit because of threats against himself and his family and concerns about personal safety.

On the 9th, Hong issued a statement titled ‘A message to the people’, saying, “I sincerely apologize to all the people who have loved and supported Korean football,” and “I failed to repay your expectations and support, and I caused disappointment and hurt to many.” He added, “Even though I bore the heavy responsibility of national team head coach, I could not deliver the result the public expected at the World Cup,” and “All responsibility for that result lies with me as the coach.”

On the 29th of last month, the day after the group-stage elimination, Hong announced his resignation in Mexico. At the time he issued an apology but did not take questions from reporters. He made no further public remarks thereafter. His movements after returning home also drew controversy. Two days after coming back, he departed for Los Angeles (LA) in the United States, and some suggested he went abroad to avoid criticism over the World Cup failure. Hong explained, “Staying in the United States was not a choice to ignore or avoid the result,” and “There were threats against me and my family and concerns about our personal safety at the time, and as the head of a household I had to protect my family.” He emphasized, “For no reason did I try to neglect what I had to do as a coach or try to avoid the public.”

He also explained why he broke his silence and issued a statement. Hong said, “As time went by, matters that were not true came to be conveyed as if they were facts, and even unverified stories were added,” and “Seeing even the players and staff who had devoted themselves to the national team placed amid misunderstanding and speculation made me reconsider whether remaining silent was truly the right thing to do.”

That morning, the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee approved the ‘Plan to hold a hearing on issues related to the Korea Football Association’ and decided to convene a hearing on the 22nd. Hong was also named as a witness. Hong stated, “If a hearing is held, I consider it an occasion to explain the World Cup result to the public,” and “In that case, the person who should stand there is also me, the coach.” He said, “Before the public, I will state exactly what I know as it is, and I will not avoid any questions.”