Broadcaster Jonathan flooded with hate comments after Congo eliminates South Korea from World Cup

After South Korea's national football team was eliminated from the 2026 North America World Cup group stage, broadcaster Jonathan — a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo — found himself flooded with hate comments on social media in a baffling turn of events.

South Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, was knocked out of the round of 32 on Sunday after the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in the final Group K match. Some football fans directed their anger at Jonathan, who had no connection to the game.

The comment section of Jonathan's latest Instagram post was filled with messages including "Apologize to the Korean people," "Honestly, you were rooting for Congo, weren't you?" "Korea got eliminated because of you," and "Did Uzbekistan lose because you were secretly cheering for Congo?" Jonathan has not made any public statement about the match.

Voices criticizing the hate comments have also emerged. Many users pushed back, writing that "there is no reason to hold Jonathan responsible for a football result" and that "lashing out at someone based solely on their nationality is no different from racism." Some users also noted that Uzbekistan defender Husanov's social media accounts had received Korean-language hate comments, saying the venting of frustration was spreading to individuals with no involvement in the match.

Jonathan has lived in South Korea since elementary school. He has consistently shown his affection for the country, introducing himself on television as a "Daehan Congolese" — a portmanteau blending "Korean" and "Congolese."

South Korea's elimination from the World Cup round of 32 has also raised questions about Hong's future, with his contract running through the Asian Cup next January.