Top News

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on July 6 that Park had submitted his resignation in Mexico following the national team’s group stage elimination on June 28, the same day he bowed and apologized on behalf of the KFA and the national team at a press conference.

Joining the KFA in April 2025, Park was one of the 27 members of the 55th Executive Board led by President Chung Mong-gyu.

The KFA has five vice presidents. Park was in charge of supporting the national team at all levels.

Another familiar figure was former Indonesia national team coach Shin Tae-yong, who oversaw foreign affairs. However, Shin resigned earlier this year to return to Indonesia to manage Persija Jakarta.

The reasons behind Park’s resignation are somewhat similar to Shin’s. Before the 2026 World Cup, the 1959-born coach had agreed to become Kanchanaburi FC’s coach in the Thai First Division starting in July, according to The Herald Business.

After returning to South Korea on June 30, Park traveled to Vietnam to complete some work before going to Thailand.

At the 2026 World Cup, South Korea failed to advance despite being in a relatively easy group consisting of co-hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa, leading to strong public criticism of the KFA and head coach Hong Myung-bo.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also weighed in, calling for reforms and changes within the federation.

KFA President Chung and coach Hong had both announced their resignations.

Other members of the Executive Board are under similar pressure. However, the KFA is not considering a mass resignation due to concerns about an administrative vacuum, according to the South Korean newspaper Newdaily.

The KFA is also considering appointing an interim coach for the national team ahead of the Asian Cup in January 2027 in Saudi Arabia. South Korea are in Group E with UAE, Vietnam, and Lebanon.