Son mocked over military service and a drone shot down – will South Korea get chaotic World Cup back on track?

<p>The game against South Africa, who have yet to impress, in Monterrey is obviously a big one. If Son, helped by the head coach, Hong Myung-bo, can burst into life and lead the team to victory then all will enter the knockout stages in good shape. A draw would suffice in what is far from the toughest group but it could mean the uncertain mood around the team continues.</p>

<p>When Asia’s most successful <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-football" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Cup</a> side touched down in Mexico, where they and their fans have been treated royally by the locals, recent form had been patchy and expectations were low. But the opening win against Czechia was an impressive and exciting performance, though tempered with the obvious caveat that after two games Czechia look to be the weakest of the European contingent.</p>

<p>Still, it was an encouraging start – though soon overshadowed by other events. Son’s powers on the pitch are naturally not what they were a few years ago but he is still the centre of attention off it. During a training session on 7 June as the players ran around the pitch, a member of the media was overheard on camera mocking Son’s military service record. The Los Angeles FC forward earned exemption from the 21-month period of service mandatory for all non-disabled males by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games, though still had to carry out basic training in 2020.</p>

<p>In response to the leaked footage, the Korea Football Association issued a statement expressing regret over “inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel … the recent leak of inappropriate conversations between some media officials at a training site caused great shock and disappointment to the team”.</p>

<p>For a while the team refused to talk to domestic media as the issue of military service made its way to Mexico. The millions of men who undertake the full duty – and society as a whole – do not take kindly to the rich and/or famous dodging their duty and there have been many examples of this.</p>

<p>Son, and other players, have done nothing wrong but there have been surveys that suggest public support for allowing sports stars to avoid full service is fading. BTS (hugely popular in Mexico to the extent that the president, Claudia Sheinbaum, asked her Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung, to persuade the boyband to add more tour dates in the country) had to take a break for a couple of years and reported for duty. The occasional remark about players getting off easily may not seem to be anything to get too excited about, at least for those on the outside, but the whole issue is a complex and sensitive one for Koreans.</p>

<p>Talking of the military, the Mexican one <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/18/mexico-south-korea-drone-training-world-cup-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">shot down a drone</a> hovering about another Korea training session before the game with the hosts. That went badly with South Korea showing little of the attacking verve that had impressed against Czechia. Now there is some pressure.</p>

<p>Another consequence of the result is that Mexico are through. The co-hosts at full strength and needing something would surely be too strong for Czechia, but now the European team have a chance of a win. That would mean that if Korea lost against South Africa then it would probably be all over. What a disaster that would be. What all fans, players and media want is a win to get the confidence flowing and the focus back on football, entry to the US and the opportunity for more restaurant trips.</p>

Guardian Sport · Jun 24

Guardian Sport · Jun 24

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