Hong Myung-bo says fighting spirit is South Korea's greatest strength ahead of World Cup

FIFA publishes interview with national team director; Hong says players no longer fear the world stage

South Korea national team director Hong Myung-bo directs a training session at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, on June 2 afternoon local time. [Yonhap]

South Korea national team director Hong Myung-bo has named "fighting spirit" as the squad's greatest strength, in an interview published on FIFA's official website.

In the interview posted Saturday on FIFA's website, Hong spoke about his feelings ahead of his seventh World Cup — a milestone he has reached as both a player and a coach.

Hong made his World Cup debut at the 1990 Italy tournament at age 21, then played in the 1994 United States, 1998 France and 2002 Korea-Japan editions. He returned as an assistant coach at the 2006 Germany World Cup and as head coach at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, giving him six appearances before the current edition.

Now leading South Korea into the 2026 North America World Cup, Hong is set to experience the tournament for a seventh time.

Asked what comes to mind first when he thinks of the World Cup, Hong said, "The World Cup is a dream stage — the dream itself for everyone in football."

Hong, who captained South Korea at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, recalled the atmosphere of that tournament. "Korea was going through an extremely difficult period following the financial crisis, and I felt the people were worn out," he said. "Reaching the semifinals gave the nation great joy."

"I loved seeing South Korea come together as one through the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup," he said. "I feel immense pride that the players played a role in that."

However, Hong said the 2002 result should not weigh on the current squad as a burden.

Son Heung-min and other South Korea national team players warm up at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, on June 2 afternoon local time. [Yonhap]

"Personally, I would like the players to look back on that achievement as something positive — a standard to chase again — but as their director, I do not want them carrying it as pressure," he said.

"A sense of mission and responsibility as national team players is important, but I want them to prepare well for the World Cup and go out there truly enjoying it," he added.

On "fighting spirit" — a quality long synonymous with Korean football — Hong said, "Generations have changed a great deal, but it remains one of the national team's strengths. Fighting spirit is a crucial element as we prepare for the World Cup, and building on it is an important task going forward."

South Korea national team players warm up at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah, on June 1 afternoon local time. [Yonhap]

Asked whether captain Son Heung-min carries the heavy burden of national expectations, Hong said, "That's right. Son Heung-min has played a vital role for the national team for years, and I expect him to make a major contribution at this World Cup as well."

"He is a veteran now. Thanks to his wealth of experience, he understands better than anyone what is needed at each stage of World Cup preparation," Hong said of Son. "I understand the weight of the captaincy, but I hope he does not put too much pressure on himself."

"A significant number of our players compete in Europe," Hong said. "Unlike in the past, I believe the fear of the world stage has completely disappeared. If we keep building confidence and trust in one another, we can become not just a team that pulls off the occasional upset, but a genuinely strong side that competes on equal terms with the world's best."

hope@heraldcorp.com