Son Heung-min Media Feud
South Korea's World Cup Team Imposes Media Boycott After Journalists Mock Son Heung-min
Anonymous
Key Points
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Leaked audio captured specific barbed lines from reporters, including: “Does he run like a platoon leader just because he’s the captain? He runs as if he’s in the military,” and another voice mocking the players’ “lack of military experience.”
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The incident is reported to have stemmed from footage recorded by JTBC, described as South Korea’s official rights holder for the tournament, during an open training session at the Guadalajara base.
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Timeline details from reports: media access was cut off on Tuesday, with the squad reportedly canceling talks with South Korean media beyond official commitments; a pre-match news conference was scheduled for Wednesday. The reported resignation of a media officer also came on Tuesday, though it remained unconfirmed by the team.
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The Korea Football Association said it would “prioritise protecting the squad and improving the media environment going forward,” after it regretted “inappropriate remarks” made by some media personnel.
South Korea's World Cup camp in Guadalajara descended into crisis this week after a hot microphone captured journalists mocking captain Son Heung-min's leadership and military record during an open training session on June 7, according to Reuters. The Korea Football Association condemned the remarks as causing "great shock and disappointment" to the squad and imposed a sweeping media boycott that canceled all player interviews beyond mandatory FIFA requirements.
The timing could hardly be worse. South Korea sit second in Group A with three points, level with hosts Mexico, whom they face at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on Thursday, FOX Sports reported. The squad is now managing both a high-stakes match and a badly damaged relationship with its own press corps.
Hot Mic at Training Exposes Reporters Mocking Son
The incident traces back to June 7, when a camera belonging to JTBC — South Korea's official World Cup broadcast rights holder — picked up reporters mocking Son in the media pen, according to Associated Press. Two lines spread rapidly on social media after the footage leaked on June 15: "He runs as if he's in the military," and a separate jab at the players' "lack of military experience." Fans in Seoul flooded platforms like Naver and Daum with calls for the journalists' credentials to be permanently revoked, India Today reported.
JTBC's role made the betrayal sting harder. As the official rights holder, the network had privileged "inner-sanctum" access most outlets do not get. The KFA has not confirmed whether it will seek contractual penalties against the broadcaster, but TSN reported that blacklisting of the specific journalists from future AFC and FIFA events is under discussion.
Military Service Remarks Cut Deep in South Korean Culture
Military service is extraordinarily sensitive in South Korea. By law, all able-bodied men must serve roughly 18 to 21 months. Son earned an exemption by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games — a legal and accepted route — then completed a three-week Marine Corps basic training course in 2020, where he was ranked among the top five performers in his unit, VAVEL reported.
The leaked mockery was seen as a direct attack on his dedication to the country, not just a jab at his running style. Son, now 33 and playing for Los Angeles FC, has not issued a public statement but was reported to be "deeply hurt," according to Football Asian. Fans have since reclaimed the phrase "Platoon Leader Son" as a term of endearment, and it has trended globally on social media.
Boycott Imposed, Media Officer Reportedly Resigns
On Tuesday, June 16, the KFA released its official condemnation and the squad shut down all non-mandatory media access. Mixed-zone sessions were canceled. The KFA said it would "prioritise protecting the squad and improving the media environment going forward," Reuters reported. Head coach Hong Myung-bo backed the players' decision, saying team unity was "paramount" ahead of the Mexico fixture.
Reports also emerged Tuesday that a senior KFA media officer — responsible for managing more than 100 traveling South Korean journalists — had resigned, according to South China Morning Post. The KFA has not confirmed the resignation or the individual's identity. Meanwhile, Mexican media reported emergency meetings between KFA officials and the press corps aimed at easing tensions, with Wednesday's pre-match news conference limited strictly to FIFA's minimum requirements.
Siege Mentality Before a Must-Win Match Against Mexico
South Korea enter Thursday's game ranked 25th in the world against a Mexican side ranked 14th, according to STARNEWS. Mexico lead Group A on goal difference after beating South Africa, while South Korea sit second following their 2-1 opening win over the Czech Republic on June 11. Historically, South Korea have won just 4 of their 15 meetings with Mexico, losing 8.
Analyst Liam Prenderville framed the risk bluntly: "By locking out the media, the KFA has created a vacuum. If they lose to Mexico, the press will be waiting with knives sharpened. If they win, the players will feel vindicated in their isolation," he told The Mirror US. The match is expected to draw more than 15 million live viewers in South Korea despite the blackout.
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