• South Korea's coach Hong Myung-bo resigns after team's disappointing World Cup exit.
• President Lee Jae Myung calls for an investigation into the team's poor performance.
• Former players and fans demand substantial changes in the football leadership.
• Team captain Son Heung-min's future is uncertain following the early exit.
• The Korea Football Association faces criticism over its management practices.

Hong Myung-bo has resigned as head coach of South Korea's men's national football team following their dismal elimination from the World Cup group stage, where they failed to qualify for the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. The team's exit was sealed by a shock 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa, leading to widespread criticism and calls for a thorough investigation into the reasons behind their poor performance. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his bewilderment, suggesting that the outcome reflects "a failure of organisation and personnel," and he apologised to the nation, highlighting concerns about entrenched incompetence within the football authorities, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

The public outcry is not new but rather a culmination of frustrations that have brewed over years among fans and former players, demanding a comprehensive overhaul in South Korea's football governance. Former national captain Park Ji-sung noted, "We may have expected this outcome years ago," urging a reflection on why the national team has failed to learn from past lessons. He stressed the need for systemic change to avoid repeating mistakes, as echoed by other football legends and observers, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Despite starting their campaign with an encouraging 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, South Korea faltered against Mexico and South Africa, ultimately falling short of expectations. As a result, the Korea Football Association (KFA) is under intense scrutiny for its leadership decisions. Hong's reappointment was particularly controversial, with fans questioning the selection process, which seemed to favor familiar names over more qualified candidates, leading to the current dissatisfaction with the coaching and managerial staff, as detailed in multiple sources including BBC and Al Jazeera.

In the wake of Hong's resignation, discussions have pivoted to the future of captain Son Heung-min, reportedly under consideration to retire from international football, which further complicates South Korea's prospects moving forward. Lee Chun-soo, a member of the 2002 World Cup team, noted, "This is a message to change," accentuating the collective sentiment for reform within the sport's structure in South Korea. As the national team returns home amid disappointment and frustration, the KFA faces pressure to address its governance and strategic approach to football development, supported by former icons of the game, as mentioned by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.