South Korea’s World Cup early exit sparks fury, death threats, restaurant bans

AdvertisementSouth KoreaThis Week in AsiaLifestyle & CultureSouth Korea’s World Cup early exit sparks fury, death threats, restaurant bansFrom the president to K-pop stars, South Koreans demand an overhaul of the country’s football establishment and punishment for the failure3-MIN READ3-MINSCMP’s Asia deskPublished: 7:16pm, 29 Jun 2026South Korea’s World Cup squad is set to be greeted on arrival by heightened police security rather than the usual airport welcome ceremony, as fury over head coach Hong Myung-bo’s failed campaign spills into online death threats, viral restaurant bans and renewed calls for sweeping changes inside the country’s football establishment.Hong and eight players, including Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom and Lee Kang-in, were due to arrive at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday morning after leaving Mexico, while the country’s most famous football star Son Heung-min and several others were expected to return separately.The Korea Football Association said there would be “no separate homecoming event”, according to Yonhap, making it the first time South Korea has returned from an overseas World Cup without a formal airport reception.

The decision comes as police monitor a furious public response to South Korea’s failure to reach the round of 32 at this year’s edition of football’s most prestigious tournament, with local reports saying officers were tracing the author of a deleted online post that allegedly threatened to kill Hong at Incheon airport on the day of his return.The writer claimed to be a 41-year-old US national, according to Korea Daily, while police were preparing to respond to possible disturbances at the airport and considering whether to apply criminal intimidation charges.The anger has also moved from social media into everyday spaces, with South Korean media reporting that restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses had posted signs saying Hong was barred from entry.

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