SEOUL, June 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung 
condemned the country's premature World Cup exit on Sunday, pointing the 
finger at "incompetent people" and apologising to the nation.

South Korea's turbulent campaign in North America ended at the group phase 
and could lead to the international retirement of captain Son Heung-min.

After three days of anxious waiting to see if they would squeeze into the 
knockout rounds as one of the eight third-placed finishers, results went 
against South Korea to send them home.

Deeply unpopular coach Hong Myung-bo is sure to be fired or will quit, and 
the nation's president promised wholesale reform.

"When loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence, and incompetent 
people are appointed to leadership positions, the outcome is all but 
inevitable," Lee said in a post on X.

"I offer my deepest apologies to the public for the profound disappointment 
caused by this unacceptable outcome.

"We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure that nothing 
like this happens again," he added, without elaborating.

South Korea had the last 32 at the World Cup within grasp only to suffer a 
shock 1-0 loss to lower-ranked South Africa.

The much-maligned coach Hong caused a surprise when he dropped the attacking 
talisman Son to the bench in a gamble that backfired.

They finished third in Group A behind the co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, 
having also lost 1-0 to Mexico.

They beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to start their World Cup, but that was as 
good as it got for Hong and the fading Son.

The criticism back home was immediately fierce, with Hong firmly in the 
firing line.

Yonhap News Agency called South Korea's exit "dismal".

"The national team suffered the humiliation of a 2026 World Cup group-stage 
exit after three days of agonising hope," Yonhap said.

South Korea's tournament was overshadowed by a row between the squad and 
local media, while a drone also buzzed a crucial training session before the 
Mexico defeat.

Former Tottenham attacker Son, who now plays for Los Angeles FC, has hinted 
in the past at international retirement.

The daily Sports Chosun expects that to be it now for the player who has 
carried South Korea so often and scored 56 goals for his country.

"Son Heung-min's final World Cup ends in heartbreak," a headline said.

He turns 34 next month.