What was supposed to be a focused World Cup campaign for South Korea has instead descended into an extraordinary public rift between the national team and its own domestic press. The squad has effectively shut out large sections of the Korean media after a hot‑microphone blunder captured two journalists mocking captain Son Heung‑min over his military service exemption and running style.
The Leak That Sparked a Crisis
The controversy erupted on June 7 during an open training session at South Korea’s base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico. As Son and his teammates jogged lightly around the pitch, broadcaster JTBC – the tournament’s official rights holder for South Korea – inadvertently picked up a private conversation between unidentified media personnel standing nearby.
When Son ran past, one voice was heard mocking: “Is it because he’s the captain that he runs like a platoon leader? He looks like he’s running in the army.” Another added: “He didn’t even do his proper military service.” Despite a woman nearby warning “Camera, camera,” the group continued their commentary. The footage quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage among Korean fans.
The Military Exemption Context
Under South Korean law, all able‑bodied men must complete approximately 18‑21 months of military service. However, athletes who win an Asian Games gold medal or any Olympic medal are granted exemptions. Son earned this exemption by captaining South Korea to gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. Rather than full active duty, he completed a three‑week basic training course with the Marine Corps on Jeju Island in 2020, followed by 544 hours of community service teaching soccer to underprivileged children.
Team Responds with Silence
The backlash was immediate and unified. After South Korea’s 2‑1 opening‑group victory over the Czech Republic, Son – normally one of the most accessible players in the squad – walked through the mixed zone offering only a brief word of thanks and took no questions. His teammates followed suit, declining to speak to Korean outlets.
A scheduled one‑on‑one interview with midfielder Hwang In‑beom was cancelled, officially due to “scheduling difficulties”. Another interview with Lee Dong‑gyeong was reportedly withdrawn. The Korea Football Association (KFA) then cancelled that day’s news conference entirely.
KFA Statement and Media Apology
On June 15, the KFA issued a public statement expressing “deep regret” over what it called “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel”. The association said the comments had caused “great shock and disappointment” within the squad and called on media to act with greater professionalism and responsibility.
Behind closed doors, the KFA reportedly summoned the journalists involved two days after the leak and issued a reprimand. Nearly ten days after the remarks were made, reporters apologised directly to Son. The secretary of the Korean FIFA World Cup press corps resigned, taking responsibility for the ethical lapse.
Access Severely Restricted
Despite the apology, trust has not been restored. Media access to the squad has been heavily restricted, with interviews cancelled and reporters largely barred from speaking to players outside official FIFA obligations. The team is now limiting press engagement to mandatory requirements only.
Mexican media have reported on the “continued tension” between the national team and the Korean press. Leading outlets including The Athletic and The Telegraph have picked up the story, with some commentators speculating the scandal could affect performance.
A Deeper Trust Crisis
The incident has exposed broader tensions in Korean society around military service exemptions – resentments that previously erupted during debates over special treatment for K‑pop group BTS. Korean fans, many of whom learned of the controversy through foreign reports rather than domestic coverage, have demanded accountability. Independent sports YouTubers have taken the lead in reconstructing the timeline and questioning why the journalists have not been publicly identified.
What Lies Ahead
Son has reportedly accepted the face‑to‑face apology but said a decision on re‑engaging with domestic media will be made internally. With a crucial Group A clash against host nation Mexico looming on June 19, the squad faces the challenge of refocusing on football. For now, however, one of the tournament’s most compelling off‑field stories shows no sign of abating – and the silence from the Korean camp speaks louder than any interview ever could.
