Hong Myung-bo has stepped down as head coach of the South Korea national team after coming under heavy criticism following the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign. Taking full responsibility for the result, Hong announced his resignation during a press conference. As the captain of Korea’s legendary 2002 World Cup team and the coach who led the country to a historic bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, expectations for him had always been high. But after the disappointment of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, he once again found himself under intense pressure. Even before the 2026 World Cup, his appointment as national team coach had been surrounded by controversy, with many fans and pundits questioning how the selection process was handled. This World Cup was seen as his chance to answer those critics on the pitch. Instead, South Korea failed to reach the Round of 32, bringing another painful chapter to an end. Many figures in Korean football and fans say the result is disappoint...