South Korean Journalists Mock Son Heung-min Over Military Exemption in Mexico Training Leak
During South Korea’s World Cup training in Guadalajara, Mexico, a leaked video captured unidentified individuals—reportedly journalists—mocking captain Son Heung-min for his military service exemption. Remarks included insults like “doesn’t know the character for military.” The Korea Football Association condemned the remarks, calling for respect. Broadcaster JTBC muted the audio after backlash. Son subsequently refused interviews with Korean media, sparking a media blackout. The incident has strained relations between the national team and domestic press.
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Leaked Video Sparks World Cup Controversy for South Korea
A leaked video showing South Korean media representatives mocking star player Heung-min Son about his military service record has caused significant tension within the national team ahead of their World Cup group match against Mexico. The footage, captured during a public training session before the opening match against the Czech Republic, was leaked from broadcaster JTBC and triggered strong reactions on social media. As a result, players have reportedly refused to speak with South Korean journalists outside official commitments, and planned interviews have been canceled. The Korea Football Association issued a statement expressing regret over the 'inappropriate remarks' and said the incident caused 'great dismay and disappointment' within the team. Son, a former HSV striker now with LAFC, had received an exemption from mandatory military service after helping South Korea win gold at the 2018 Asian Games, performing alternative services including a three-week military course.
BILD - SportMockery of National Hero Sparks Open Conflict Between South Korea Team and Media
A public conflict has erupted between South Korea's national football team and domestic media following derogatory comments about captain Son Heung-min during a training session on June 7, 2026. Unidentified media representatives mocked the 33-year-old star over his military service exemption, which he earned through a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. The incident, captured by broadcaster JTBC and leaked online, caused 'great shock and disappointment' within the team. In response, media access was canceled, planned interviews were scrapped, and a team media officer reportedly resigned. The national football association condemned the remarks and pledged to protect the team. Son, a national hero and the first Asian Premier League top scorer, now plays for Los Angeles FC. The dispute overshadows South Korea's World Cup preparations ahead of their match against host Mexico in Group A.
Nachrichten - WELTTension erupts between South Korean players and press over Son Heung-min military service comment
Just days before a critical 2026 World Cup group stage match against Mexico, the South Korean national team is embroiled in a public dispute with domestic journalists. The conflict began when reporters covering the team's training camp in Guadalajara were overheard criticizing captain Son Heung-min, claiming he did not complete mandatory military service, ignoring his legal exemption from the 2018 Asian Games gold medal. In solidarity with Son, players boycotted scheduled press conferences and canceled individual interviews. The Korea Football Association (KFA) initially released a statement condemning the 'inappropriate comments' but later deleted it after Son held a meeting where journalists apologized. However, it remains unclear if the press ban is lifted. The incident has created significant tension ahead of the team's 11th World Cup appearance.
FútbolSouth Korea National Team Boycotts Media After Journalist Mocks Son Heung-min's Military Service
During the 2026 World Cup in Guadalajara, South Korea's national football team, led by captain Son Heung-min, has boycotted media interactions after a video emerged showing journalists mocking Son's military service. Son completed only three weeks of basic training with the Marine Corps in 2020 due to an exemption from the standard 21-month service, earned by winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. The player refused to speak to the press after South Korea's 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, and his teammates subsequently canceled all media activities in solidarity. The Korean Football Federation issued a statement expressing regret over the inappropriate remarks. The team now faces a crucial Round of 16 qualification match against host nation Mexico amid this tense atmosphere.
Home Football - actualitésSouth Korean soccer players boycott national media after journalists mock Heung-min Son's military service
South Korean national football players have boycotted national media after a hot microphone captured local journalists mocking captain Heung-min Son. The mockery targeted Son's exemption from standard 21-month military service, for which he completed a 3-week marine training in 2020 after winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. The incident occurred during a training session in Guadalajara, Mexico, before South Korea's World Cup match against the Czech Republic, which they won 2-1. In response, Son only offered a brief thank you in the mixed zone without taking questions, and his teammates also refused to speak to national media. The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a strong statement condemning the journalists' language as 'inappropriate and disrespectful,' calling for a 'responsible attitude.' Tensions escalated when KFA media officials asked foreign journalists to leave a press conference, with one ESPN Mexico reporter noting palpable tension.
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The Korean Football Association (KFA) has issued a strong statement condemning a leaked conversation in which journalists mocked South Korea captain Heung-min Son. The journalists were caught on a hot mic at the national team's training base in Guadalajara, Mexico, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They reportedly claimed Son 'didn't even properly serve in the military,' referencing his exemption from mandatory 21-month service after South Korea's 2018 Asian Games victory, which reduced his service to three months of basic training. The KFA expressed regret and disappointment over the remarks, emphasizing that mutual respect and player protection must come before media activities. In response to the incident, the South Korean squad reportedly boycotted domestic media, leading to a total media blackout. The KFA called on media outlets to show greater responsibility and unity in supporting the national team during the World Cup.
Yardbarker: SoccerSon Heung-min Refuses Korean Media Interviews After Training Ground Recording Controversy
Following a controversial training ground recording incident, South Korean national team captain Son Heung-min has begun refusing interview requests from Korean reporters in informal settings. The controversy stems from a video uploaded by Korean media during an open training session in Guadalajara, Mexico, where derogatory remarks targeting Son Heung-min and other players were captured. The comments included insults about military service, a sensitive topic since Son earned a military service exemption by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games. After the video spread on social media, sparking fan outrage, broadcaster JTBC explained the voices were from unspecified individuals and were muted. In South Korea's first World Cup match, a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, Son Heung-min bypassed Korean reporters in the mixed zone, declining interviews. OSEN noted that players are not penalized for refusing mixed-zone interviews.
虎扑 - 足球Korea Football Association Condemns Abusive Remarks Toward Son Heung-min by Media Personnel
The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a formal statement on June 15 expressing deep regret over inappropriate and abusive remarks made by media personnel toward national team captain Son Heung-min during World Cup training in Guadalajara, Mexico. The incident originated from a video released by JTBC's YouTube channel on June 9, where on-site audio captured a man telling Son to 'run like a squad leader' and 'run like in the military,' followed by another man cursing about players who haven't served in the military. The KFA emphasized the need for mutual respect and protection of players, calling for more responsible media conduct. JTBC later explained the remarks came from unspecified individuals on site, not their interviewers, and muted the audio after noticing the controversy. Son Heung-min is captaining South Korea in the World Cup, where the team won their first match 2-1 against the Czech Republic and will face Mexico and South Africa next.
虎扑 - 足球South Korean journalists mock Son Heung-min for military service exemption
During South Korea's World Cup preparation, a private conversation between South Korean journalists on the sidelines was recorded, sparking controversy. One journalist compared Son Heung-min's running to a platoon leader, while another criticized him for not having served in the military, saying he 'doesn't even know the character for military.' Son Heung-min was exempted from mandatory military service after winning a gold medal with the South Korean U23 team at the 2018 Asian Games, which qualifies for exemption under South Korean law. The incident has drawn backlash for disrespecting the national team captain.
虎扑 - 足球South Korea World Cup Training Video Sparks Controversy Over Mocking Remarks About Son Heung-min
A public training video of the South Korean national football team preparing for the World Cup has sparked controversy on Korean internet. The video, filmed on June 7 at a training base in Mexico, captured background audio where unidentified individuals made mocking remarks about captain Son Heung-min, including comments like 'a guy who has never been in the army' and 'a guy who doesn't even know the word military.' The remarks reference Son's exemption from mandatory military service due to his athletic achievements. The video was first released by broadcaster JTBC, who later responded by muting the controversial section, stating the voices were not from their interviewer but from unspecified individuals at the open training. The identity of the speakers remains unconfirmed.
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