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Korean Football Association responds to mocking of Heung-min Son by journalists

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 11:02 AM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

Korean Football Association responds to mocking of Heung-min Son by journalists

Summary

The Korean Football Association issued a statement addressing inappropriate comments made by journalists mocking captain Heung-min Son. The remarks, which surfaced during the national team's training in Guadalajara for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, criticized Son's military service exemption after South Korea's Asian Games victory in 2018. The KFA expressed disappointment and urged media professionals to practice mutual respect. This incident has drawn attention to the treatment of players amid media scrutiny leading up to the tournament.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Journalists mocked Son's military service during training session.
•KFA condemned the leaked conversation in a public statement.
•Son received a service exemption after the 2018 Asian Games.
•KFA requests responsible media behavior towards players.
•Training is part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Latest Updates

11:02 AMYahoo Sports — Korean Football Association directly respond after Heung-min Son is mocked by journalists

What they're saying

"
The Korean Football Association have issued a statement condemning the leaked conversation of some journalists appearing to mock South Korea captain Heung-min Son. Football Asian revealed that some journalists were caught on the microphone mocking Son’s national service, claiming that he “didn’t even properly serve in the military.
— Yahoo Sports

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