Lawmaker calls on Hong Myung-bo to appear before National Assembly: 'Not a departure — it's fleeing'

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Min-hee has called on former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo to appear before the National Assembly following South Korea's failure to advance past the round of 32 at the 2026 North America World Cup.

Choi posted on social media Thursday, saying Hong "has an obligation to explain the World Cup results to the public" and that she believed his departure from the country was "not an escape."

"If the National Assembly requests his attendance, I sincerely hope he will come," she said, urging him to appear should a hearing be convened.

Calls are growing in political circles for a parliamentary hearing into the Korea Football Association and broader football governance in the wake of the team's poor showing. The National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee is expected to summon Korea Football Association President Chung Mong-gyu and Hong as witnesses, given the level of public attention the issue has drawn.

Hong, however, left for the United States on Wednesday — just two days after returning home.

Departing through Incheon International Airport bound for Los Angeles, Hong told reporters he did not know when he would return to Korea, MBC reported. He did not address whether he would attend any hearing.

"I do have things to say, and I think they will come out properly at some point," he said. He also shrugged off reports of internal discord within the squad, saying, "There was no infighting among the players overall."