South Korea bans local media after reports of mockery of Son Heung-min
South Korea opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a comeback 2-1 win over Czechia in Group A, but the team’s off-field mood quickly turned tense. According to reports, the squad declared a “full boycott” of South Korean media accompanying it in Guadalajara after Korean journalists were allegedly caught on an open microphone mocking captain Son Heung-min’s military service.
In a show of solidarity, the entire team reportedly refused interviews with local outlets. The incident has created an unusual public clash between the national team and the media that covers it, raising questions about whether it could affect South Korea’s World Cup run.
The team’s next match is against host nation Mexico on the night between Thursday and Friday at 4:00 a.m., broadcast on Sport1. A week later, South Korea will travel to Monterrey for its final Group A match against South Africa.
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