[Anchor]
Although head coach Hong Myung-bo has voluntarily resigned, the anger of fans has not subsided. The Red Devils, the official supporters group for the national team, have demanded that Hong leave the football world entirely, stating they will make their voices heard starting from his return to Korea today (June 30).
Reporter Yoo Byung-min has the story.
[Reporter]
The Red Devils, the official supporters group for the national football team, released a statement criticizing both head coach Hong Myung-bo and the Korea Football Association (KFA).
They stated that Hong must leave the football world forever, accusing him of mocking football fans until the very end with sophistry instead of seeking apology and forgiveness.
They further criticized him for using the sincerity of football fans as a tool to whitewash his past failures, arguing that he drove South Korean football into a corner to save himself.
[Jo Ho-tae / Red Devils Steering Committee Chair: He just read (his resignation statement) quickly like an AI. He should have apologized, but there was none of that. It was, in a way, just a unilateral notification that 'I am quitting.']
The Red Devils announced plans to mobilize all possible means to fight until the deep-rooted evils that are eroding Korean football are eradicated, stating they will begin voicing their protests at the airport upon Hong's return.
[Jo Ho-tae / Red Devils Steering Committee Chair: We will be raising issues regarding the (KFA) officials, those people referred to as the cartel.]
Public anger remains high as well.
At LA Stadium, where the team was scheduled to play had they advanced to the Round of 32 as the second-place team in their group, Korean fans who had already purchased tickets and could not get refunds watched the South Africa-Canada match while expressing their resentment toward Hong. Meanwhile, signs reading "Hong Myung-bo Banned" have appeared at the entrances of various restaurants and convenience stores across the country.
Amid this, a death threat against Hong was posted on an online community, leading police to prepare tight security for the arrival of Hong and the players.
(Video Editing: Lee Sang-min, Design: Kang Yoon-jung, Screen Source: Threads @j_ashbrown·@joahagoo)
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