An internal scandal within the South Korean national football team has recently come to light, revealing deep-seated issues concerning team captain and star striker Son Heung-min. Reports indicate that Son has been marginalized and shown a significant lack of respect by several younger teammates during their time together in recent months, sparking widespread concern among fans and officials alike.
The serious internal conflict within the squad was brought into the public domain following a comprehensive review conducted by the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee of the South Korean Parliament on October 21. During this inquiry, Lawyer Joeng Yeon Wook, a representative from the People Power Party (PPP), directly questioned the South Korean Football Association (KFA), currently overseen by acting president Lee Yong Soo, regarding alleged internal disputes within the national team setup.
The parliamentary investigation uncovered previously concealed issues, confirming a rift between the former Tottenham Hotspur star and several of his teammates. Specifically, three key players — Kim Min Jae, Hwang Hee Chan, and Hwang In Beom — were cited for their perceived indifference, reluctance to follow instructions, and a notable absence of respect for Son Heung-min. This disrespect reportedly escalated to a severe degree, with these players allegedly refusing to address Son by his name, opting instead to refer to him simply as ‘No. 7,’ referencing his jersey number.
Further reports from the Chosun newspaper corroborate the deteriorating relationships within the national team, highlighting a particular erosion of the captain’s authority and value. Beyond the refusal to use his name, Kim Min Jae and Hwang In Beom were also reported to have threatened simultaneous retirement from international duty. This deepening rift reportedly emerged after South Korea secured a 2-0 victory against Uzbekistan on October 6. Following that particular match, the three aforementioned players, expressing dissatisfaction with Son, convened a meeting where they allegedly discussed and threatened to withdraw from the national squad, according to reports from The Straits Times.
In response to these revelations, the KFA president acknowledged the gravity of the situation, confirming that these problems had indeed occurred. The federation promptly convened an emergency meeting to address and manage the emerging issues within the team.
This underlying dissatisfaction among the South Korean national team players is not an entirely new phenomenon, with tensions reportedly simmering since 2022, particularly after the team’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At the turn of 2023, Kim Min Jae notably unfollowed Son Heung-min on social media, signaling a clear breakdown in their relationship. More recently, in 2024, a separate dispute between Son and former PSG player Lee Kang-in surfaced during the Asian Cup. The recurring nature of these internal conflicts has reportedly led both Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in to express reluctance or refusal to participate in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
