Incheon Police ordered a deployment of over 180 riot police and security officers to tighten security at Incheon Airport amid concerns of unexpected incidents after South Korean football fans angrily issued death threats against former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who recently resigned following the team's exit in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Incheon City Police and Incheon International Airport announced the highest-level security measures, stationing 160 riot and airport police officers along with 25 special security personnel, totaling nearly 190 officers, to oversee the return of the South Korean national football team, known as the "Taeguk Warriors," today (30 June) after their poor performance led to a first-round elimination at the World Cup.
A police statement said these strict measures aim to prevent accidents and ensure safety during the players' and staff's entry process, affirming that all illegal acts will be prosecuted under the law, including any incidents of objects being thrown at the players.
The dissatisfaction escalated after South Korea failed to advance to the knockout stage despite a comeback win against the Czech Republic in their opening match, followed by defeats to South Africa and Mexico. Officially, they lost the chance for the best third-place qualification after the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 last Saturday. This led 57-year-old former coach Hong Myung-bo to resign immediately amid national disappointment, while a major South Korean TV channel blurred his face in news reports as if he were a criminal.
The backlash extended beyond football criticism to personal safety concerns when an individual posted an online death threat against the former coach, claiming to be a 41-year-old American citizen, stating, "I will take responsibility myself. I will go to Incheon Airport and kill Hong Myung-bo on his return." Seoul Metropolitan Police are currently investigating and tracing the source of the threat.
Moreover, the protest expanded into the business sector, with several establishments in South Korea—such as bars in Anyang and barbecue restaurants in Gimje—posting clear signs forbidding Hong Myung-bo from entering, as a demonstration against his tactics and poor tournament performance.
Beyond on-field results, Hong Myung-bo and the Korea Football Association (KFA) are also under legal scrutiny. Police disclosed they have received eight complaints regarding lack of transparency and misconduct in his appointment, alleging that KFA president Chung Mong-gyu and technical director Lee Lim-saeng abused their authority. Recently, the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed the KFA's appeal against a severe disciplinary order issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung sharply criticized the national team's performance and the football association's operations, stating, "As a football lover, I am shocked and confused by these unexpected results. This proves once again that 'people selection determines everything.' If loyalty and favoritism are valued over ability, appointing incompetent leaders will inevitably lead to failure. I apologize to the public for this great disappointment, and we will quickly reform sports management to prevent such chaos from recurring."
Hong Myung-bo was coaching the national team for the second time, having previously led them at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where South Korea also exited in the group stage. South Korea is a World Cup regular, having qualified for 11 consecutive final tournaments and famously reaching the semi-finals as co-hosts in 2002.
. . .Independent / JoongAng Ilbo