South Korea players boycott domestic media after on-camera mockery of Son Heung-min

South Korea’s World Cup 2026 preparations have been thrown into turmoil after players launched a boycott of domestic media, following on-camera mockery of captain Son Heung-min by unidentified journalists at the squad’s Guadalajara base camp on June 7.

Footage recorded by JTBC, South Korea’s official tournament broadcaster, captured media personnel mocking the 33-year-old Son over his military service record as he ran with teammates during an open training session. The video was subsequently leaked online and triggered widespread backlash on social media.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a formal statement condemning “the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel” and said the incident had caused “great shock and disappointment” within the squad. The federation added that it “will continue to prioritize the protection of the squad and strive to create a healthy media environment.”

According to local reports, South Korean players have since declined to speak to domestic media outside of official World Cup commitments, with a number of pre-arranged player interviews cancelled in the aftermath.

The controversy centres on Son’s military exemption, which he earned by helping South Korea claim gold at the 2018 Asian Games — a result that spared him from the mandatory 21-month service required of able-bodied men in the country. Son later fulfilled alternative obligations, completing a three-week military training course in 2020 alongside community service.

The incident has cast a shadow over what had been an encouraging start to South Korea’s campaign. The squad opened Group A with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu on the scoresheet. Son, who left Tottenham Hotspur for Los Angeles FC last year, missed several chances in that match.

South Korea faces Mexico in Guadalajara on Thursday evening local time in their second Group A fixture. The KFA did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.