South Korea exits World Cup after loss to South Africa, president apologizes

South Korea was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after a 0‑1 defeat to South Africa in the final group‑stage match, leaving the team with only one win in the tournament. President Lee Jae‑myung publicly apologized to the nation for the poor performance, while head coach Hong Myung‑bo resigned on Sunday amid intense fan criticism.

The disappointment echoed previous public outrage after the 2014 group‑stage exit. Former Manchester United star Park Ji‑sung blamed a lack of preparation, and 34‑year‑old striker Son Heung‑min was omitted from the starting lineup, fueling speculation about his future. Asian teams overall underperformed, with only Japan and Australia advancing, while Uzbekistan, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Qatar finished bottom of their groups. Former Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, coach of Uzbekistan, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Asian football development.