Culture minister orders special audit of Korea Football Association after World Cup exit

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday it will launch a special audit of the Korea Football Association after the national team's dismal exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, having failed to advance past the group stage.

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said on social media Monday that the ministry would conduct a special audit of the KFA "to investigate the public's concerns and determine the exact truth behind the catastrophic failure of Korean football."

Choi said the ministry would form an investigative committee including outside experts to identify the causes of what he called the association's incompetence, mismanagement and complacency. "If there were any irregularities, misconduct or illegal acts in the process, we will hold those responsible strictly accountable," he said.

Choi also said the ministry would publish a white paper based on the investigation's findings and make it fully transparent to the public. "We will treat this as a painful lesson to ensure this never happens again, and turn it into a stepping stone for Korean football to move forward," he said.

Choi said the ministry would open a whistleblower reporting channel to gather allegations and public concerns that could help carry out a thorough audit.

He went on to say that he had heard concerns from some quarters that the KFA's election of a new president would have to follow the existing bylaws in the same manner as before. "If they truly understand the desperate wishes of a nation in despair, they cannot do it that way," he said. "A way can be found. We will seek the wisdom and sound judgment of the football community."

South Korea, under head coach Hong Myung-bo, finished third in Group A with one win and two losses, failing to secure one of the eight third-place berths that would have advanced them to the round of 32.

Particularly damaging was the team's final group-stage match, in which a draw would have been enough to advance. South Korea fell to South Africa 0-1 in a listless performance.

The result drew a wave of criticism that the team delivered a deeply disappointing showing despite being placed in what was considered an ideal group with a strong squad.

Hong, whose contract ran through February next year, resigned to take responsibility for the poor results.