Ahn Jung-hwan clarifies remarks on Hong Myung-bo controversy, says he avoided football federation for 14 years

Ahn Jung-hwan, a former national team player turned broadcaster, has clarified remarks that sparked controversy over his perceived defense of national team head coach Hong Myung-bo.

On Sunday, Ahn appeared on the TikTok entertainment program "Tikitiki Takataka Talktoshow" — commonly known as the "Tikitaki Show" — alongside Kim Nam-il and broadcaster Yoon Jang-hyeon to discuss South Korea's elimination in the round of 32 at the North and Central America World Cup.

During the program, Ahn addressed the backlash over comments he made on the same show the previous Saturday, when he criticized those who faulted coach Hong for substituting Son Heung-min early in the match against Mexico. "You can't just say things like that without thinking," Ahn said at the time. "Ordinary football fans can say that, but it's strange when people who are nobodies make a fuss about it." He also said he found it "truly disgusting" when such people tried to attract attention with provocative behavior — a reference to the Korean internet term "aggro."

Ahn acknowledged the bluntness of the phrase "nobodies" but stood by his right to express himself. "I was wrong in how I put it, but it's not like I swore at anyone," he said. "I have the freedom to express myself too."

Responding to criticism that he was taking the side of the Korea Football Association, Ahn said he gets angry when people suggest he wants a position at the federation. "For the 14 years that Chung Mong-gyu has been chairman, I have never once joined the football association — because I didn't want to become like those people," he said.

On criticism that he had failed to support Park Joo-ho or speak out against the football association when Hong was appointed World Cup head coach, Ahn said: "How can I criticize something I wasn't involved in and don't know about? Isn't that just asking me to join in the bashing? Wouldn't it be stranger to suddenly start criticizing out of nowhere?"

Ahn said the football association needs reform and pledged to stage a one-person protest outside its offices if things go wrong. "If the completely reformed association still acts this way, I will hold a one-person protest and leave the football world," he said.

On Hong himself, Ahn said: "Personally, he is my sunbae and I respect him — but he still has to resign."