Hyundai Card vice chairman calls Hong Myung-bo's attitude 'baffling'

Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Jeong Tae-young has described the public conduct of former national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo following South Korea's early exit from the 2026 North America World Cup as "baffling."

Jeong took to social media Friday to write: "Whatever complicated circumstances there may be, shouldn't the coach of a team knocked out at the World Cup at least offer a routine apology to the public?"

"I'm not blaming the result — sincerely," he added. "In terms of results, there are plenty of teams just as devastated as Korea. Italy didn't even make it to the tournament." He directed his frustration at the Korea Football Association and Hong's approach to communicating with the public.

"Even a coach who made it all the way to the final and finished runner-up would probably say sorry for not winning," Jeong wrote. "I don't understand why giving the public a final report — saying sorry for not making it past the group stage — has to be delivered through gritted teeth as if it were some enormous ordeal. It's baffling."

Hong held a closing press conference in Mexico on Monday — the day after South Korea's elimination from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed — where he said he was "sorry to the people of the nation who love Korean football and have always supported the national team," and announced his resignation. "I was ultimately unable to show the results the public hoped for," he said. "That responsibility lies with me, the coach."

The statement lasted only about one minute and 40 seconds, and Hong took no questions from reporters. His exit from the venue drew further criticism when he was seen walking out with his hands in his trouser pockets, which some observers called disrespectful.

Hong and the squad also slipped out of Incheon International Airport on Tuesday upon returning home without holding a press conference or any arrival event.

The controversy deepened when Hong left for the United States, where his family lives, on Thursday — ahead of a scheduled National Assembly hearing and a special audit by the Korea Football Association.

Jeong's use of the word "baffling" appeared to signal that he found the conduct of both Hong and the Korea Football Association difficult to comprehend.