Signs in Korea: Restaurants and Grocery Stores Ban Coach After World Cup Failure

South Korean media reports have circulated that some restaurants and grocery stores in the capital, Seoul, have put up controversial signs against former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, following the disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

According to reports, some of those banners carried direct phrases such as: "Hong Myung-bo, no entry," expressing widespread public anger over the team's performance, despite the coach having announced his resignation and taking full responsibility for the failure.

This comes amid tense circumstances recently experienced by Korean football, after President Lee Jae-myung requested the Ministry of Sports to open an investigation into the reasons for the early exit, which intensified the controversy surrounding the previous coaching staff and administrative decisions related to the national team.

Despite the wave of criticism, the name Hong Myung-bo still holds a significant place in the history of Korean football as a former international player and legendary captain. This has caused a divide between those who see these actions as legitimate public outrage and those who consider them an overstep against one of the game's icons.