16.06.2026 16:10
Following the leak of conversations allegedly between press members regarding Heung-min Son's military service exemption, a crisis has erupted within the South Korean national team. The press chief has resigned, and the national team has decided not to speak to the media throughout the World Cup.
The South Korean National Team competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has made headlines due to developments off the field. According to claims, sarcastic conversations among some media members regarding team captain Heung-min Son's exemption from military service leaked to the public. The revealed recordings have sparked major controversy in the country.
PRESS CHIEF RESIGNS
Following the incident, the press chief of the South Korean National Team resigned from his position. It is also reported that emergency meetings were held within the federation due to the crisis.
MEDIA BOYCOTT DECISION
After the situation escalated, a strong move came from the South Korean side. It was stated that the national team decided to suspend relations with the media during the World Cup. The team will not attend any press conferences for the remainder of the tournament, and players will not respond to journalists' questions.
HEUNG-MIN SON DETAIL
Heung-min Son, at the center of the crisis, had previously been exempted from mandatory military service after South Korea won the 2018 Asian Games. It is claimed that the comments on this matter in the leaked conversations caused unrest within the team.
A RARELY SEEN DECISION AT THE WORLD CUP
South Korea's media boycott decision is considered one of the most notable events of the World Cup. Whether the team will remain silent throughout the tournament and whether the federation will make a new statement on the matter remains a topic of curiosity.