160 policemen to secure the South Korean national team after the failure in the World Cup… and threats to kill the resigned coach

The South Korean authorities imposed strict security measures in preparation for the arrival of the national team delegation to the country, following its disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, against the backdrop of a widespread wave of public anger, which coincided with threats targeting resigned coach Hong Myung-bo.

The Korean news agency “Yonhap” said that the police will deploy 160 security personnel at Incheon International Airport, where the team’s delegation is scheduled to arrive, on Tuesday, while the airport administration has allocated an additional security team that includes 25 individuals to ensure the safety of the players and members of the technical and administrative staff.

These measures came after a post was circulated on an electronic forum, which included a threat to kill coach Hong Myung-bo upon his return to South Korea, which prompted the authorities to raise the level of security alert.

The South Korean team had begun its tournament with a victory over the Czech Republic, before suffering two consecutive losses to Mexico and South Africa, ending the group stage competitions in third place and leaving the tournament early, even though its group was considered within the reach of the Korean team.

Hong Myung-bo announced his resignation from his position following the failure, at the end of a second term with the national team that began in 2024 with a contract extending until 2027, after a first experience that also did not achieve success in the 2014 World Cup.

The Korean fans and media held the coach largely responsible for the early exit, while criticism extended to the highest levels, after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, in a post on the “X” platform, described the team’s failure to reach the knockout rounds as “unreasonable.”