South Korean national football team faces internal leadership crisis

During a recent National Assembly audit of the Korea Football Association (KFA), significant internal conflicts within the South Korean national football team were brought to light. Representative Jeong Yeon-wook questioned KFA Acting President Lee Yong-soo regarding reports of fractured leadership and declining discipline within the squad.

Key allegations include players reportedly avoiding using captain Son Heung-min’s name, instead referring to him as ‘Number 7’ or ‘that person.’ The audit also addressed tensions involving a group of prominent players born in 1996, including Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan. These players reportedly expressed psychological and physical exhaustion regarding the team's management and the uncertainty of the interim coaching period.

Following rumors of a collective retirement threat from several key players, the KFA held emergency late-night meetings to address the situation. While the KFA acknowledged that players have voiced difficulties regarding team operations, Acting President Lee stated that the association follows a principle of resolving locker room matters internally and expects future management to stabilize the squad.