The Korea Football Association (KFA) has faced severe criticism since the South Korean national team failed to advance from the group stage at the World Cup, despite high expectations placed on the 'golden generation' led by Son Heung-min. Head coach Hong Myung-bo immediately resigned following the shocking 0-1 defeat to South Africa, which ensured his team's early exit from the major tournament held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. However, his resignation did not quell public outrage over the failed tournament and only fueled previously raised questions about Hong's appointment. In particular, local media, citing a previously unpublished government audit from 2016, reported that in 2011 and 2012, the KFA offered foreign referees sexual entertainment. "We sincerely apologize for the deep disappointment and concern caused by various scandals surrounding the association following the 2026 World Cup," the KFA stated in a statement published on its website on Saturday. Amid growing criticism, the KFA stated that it found itself in a "truly regrettable situation," acknowledging that it had "lost sight of its core role." The apology followed a police raid at the KFA headquarters as part of an investigation into the appointment of 57-year-old Hong, a former defender who played in the 2002 home World Cup. Questions about Hong's appointment in 2024 had troubled the KFA previously, but the issue intensified after the team failed to reach the Round of 16. On July 30, South Korean lawmakers summoned Hong, as well as former and current KFA officials, to parliamentary hearings where they were questioned about the hiring process and the coach's annual salary. This was followed by allegations of providing sexual entertainment to foreign referees in 2011–2012. The 2016 government audit, reported by local broadcaster JTBC, found that the KFA had offered "inappropriate hospitality" to foreign referees and officials from the Chinese Football Association on eight occasions. Since then, social media users have been sharing lists of foreign referees who officiated matches involving the South Korean national team during that period. In its apology, the KFA stated that many association members were not "aware" of the incidents, but the fact of their occurrence is not denied. "The association wants to clearly state that such inappropriate behavior... will not be repeated," the statement said.
