South Korea Cuts Media Access Ahead of World Cup Match Against Mexico After Military-Record Comments Leak

South Korea’s preparations for its World Cup match against Mexico on Thursday in Guadalajara have been disrupted by a rift between players and South Korean media after unidentified personnel mocked captain Son Heung-min over his military record. The comments were recorded during an open training session on June 7 at the Guadalajara base camp and later leaked, prompting a strong reaction on social media.

Broadcaster JTBC, South Korea’s official rights holder for the tournament, captured the footage.

The South Korean soccer association said it regretted “the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the Guadalajara base camp” and stated that the comments caused “great shock and disappointment” within the squad.

Son, 33, transferred from Tottenham to Los Angeles FC one year ago. He earned an exemption from mandatory 21-month military service after helping South Korea win gold at the 2018 Asian Games and later completed alternative duties, including a three-week military training course in 2020 and community service.

South Korea defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in its opening World Cup match on June 11 in Zapopan near Guadalajara, with goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu. Son missed scoring chances in that game. Access for South Korean media was cut off after the incident.

Players refrained from speaking to South Korean media outside official commitments, and scheduled interviews were canceled. Mexican media reported a meeting between the team’s media officers and South Korean journalists to discuss the matter. One of the team’s media officers reportedly resigned on Tuesday, June 16.

The national team has not confirmed the resignation. No media access was scheduled on Tuesday. The pre-match news conference is scheduled for Wednesday. South Korea plays Mexico in Group A on Thursday in Guadalajara.