South Korean President Lee Jae-myung vows sports admin reform after World Cup qualifying failure

President Lee Jae-myung addressed the nation following South Korea’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, describing the loss as a result of organizational and personnel shortcomings within the Korean Football Association. He expressed deep disappointment and apologized to the public, stating that the outcome reflected poor leadership and a lack of merit‑based appointments.

Lee announced that the government will swiftly implement a comprehensive reform of sports administration, establishing strict monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency, fairness, and effective governance. He called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to conduct a thorough investigation, identify the causes, and develop preventive measures to avoid a repeat of such failures.