With the South Korean national football team returning home without any welcome ceremony after being eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 North American World Cup, police have decided to significantly strengthen security at Incheon International Airport.
The Incheon Police Agency said Sunday that it will deploy 160 officers from its mobile units and airport police squad at Incheon airport on June 30, the day the team returns. Incheon International Airport Corporation will also deploy 25 personnel, including special security guards and subsidiary employees, to prepare for unexpected situations.
Police prepared the enhanced security plan after various threatening posts targeting national team head coach Hong Myung-bo appeared on online communities, raising concerns about congestion at the airport.
The main returning group includes eight players along with coach Hong: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Munich), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham City), Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Seol Young-woo (Crvena Zvezda). They are traveling on a route departing from Guadalajara, Mexico, with a stopover in the United States.
Earlier, one internet user posted a message titled "I'll take the lead and kill Hong Myung-bo XXX," writing, "I'll go to Incheon airport on the day Hong Myung-bo returns and kill him."
"We have decided to deploy officers to prevent safety accidents that could occur during the arrival process," a police official said. "We will respond sternly to any illegal acts, including throwing objects."
The South Korean national team led by coach Hong finished this World Cup ranked 34th overall, failing to advance to the round of 32. This is the lowest ranking in the country's World Cup history.
Meanwhile, captain Son Heung-min (LAFC) and the remaining players who did not join the main group will travel individually in small groups according to their club schedules. A Korea Football Association official explained that "the remaining players are all scheduled to return home by July 1."
