Fans Jeer and Shout at Hong Myung-bo Upon Arrival; Son Heung-min Posts Message

[Anchor]

Former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who resigned following the team's elimination from the World Cup group stage, returned to Korea early this morning (June 30). Despite the early hour on a weekday, football fans gathered at the arrival hall to voice their anger.

Reporter Yoo Byung-min has the story.

[Reporter]

Former coach Hong Myung-bo, who voluntarily resigned yesterday after taking responsibility for the group stage exit, departed from Guadalajara, Mexico, and traveled back via Atlanta, United States.

The squad had to split into several groups to find available flights, making for a somber return. Eight players, including Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, traveled with the former coach.

With public sentiment boiling over due to the team's dismal performance and what many perceived as an insincere apology, the Korea Football Association decided not to hold a formal arrival event for the first time. With death threats against the former coach even appearing online, police maintained a heavy security presence at the airport arrival hall.

Despite the early hour, around 100 people, including members of the Red Devils supporters group, football fans, and YouTubers, gathered at the airport, holding banners that read "Korean football is dead" to condemn the former coach and the football association.

As the arrival hall doors opened and Hong appeared, the jeers from the fans grew louder.

Escorted by police, Hong walked straight ahead with a stern expression, leaving the arrival hall without responding to questions from the press.

[Reporter: Please say a word to the players.]

The players who followed behind left the arrival hall looking startled by the fans' jeers and shouting.

Fans continued their protest at the bus stop outside the airport, criticizing the former coach, but fortunately, no physical altercations or throwing of objects occurred.

Meanwhile, team captain Son Heung-min posted on his social media, saying, "I am heartbroken and feel indescribably devastated," and asked fans to "offer encouragement rather than criticism to the players."

Reported by Yang Doo-won | Video by Ha Sung-won
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.