MPs also raised claims he had enjoyed a salary of 3.8 billion won (US$2.6 million) – a figure reportedly at the high end for national coaches. Hong said the figure was wrong, but declined to disclose the correct one.
He apologised for the team’s failure to reach the last 32 at the 48-team tournament in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
“I was the head coach, and that’s a position that is ultimately judged by results,” he said.
“Because our performance at this World Cup fell short, I take full responsibility for everything.”
South Korea’s media had labelled the 2026 squad a “golden generation” and there were high hopes for a team featuring former Tottenham Hotspur star Son, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in.
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