Claims of a rift inside the South Korea squad, one of Vietnam's group opponents at the 2027 Asian Cup, were raised at a hearing of the National Assembly's culture, sports and tourism committee on 21 October 2026. Lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook of the People Power Party asked Lee Yong-soo, the official running the Korea Football Association (KFA), about reports that some players refer to captain Son Heung-min as "number 7" or "that person" instead of by name. Bongda24h notes that the authenticity and context of those nicknames have not been fully established.

What was put to the KFA

According to Bongda24h, Jeong played interview clips of Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Hwang In-beom (Porto) after Korea's friendly against Venezuela, in which Kim suggested the attacking players were not doing enough defensive work. Jeong also raised the row after the Uzbekistan game over whether Kim, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke), all born in 1996, might quit the national team, and asked whether the disputes reflect a wider problem of leadership and unity.

The two Vietnamese outlets describe Lee's answer differently. Dân trí, which calls him KFA president, says he acknowledged the reports. Bongda24h, which describes him as a vice-president serving as interim president, says he told the committee he had received a preliminary report and that the KFA had agreed to keep the discussion inside the team, on the principle that what happens in the dressing room should be settled there.

Jeong warned that this approach could prolong the controversy and questioned the KFA's oversight of the team. Lee said he hoped the players would pull together and that things would improve under interim coach Roberto Moreno, Bongda24h reported.

What Korean media have reported

Dân trí, citing Star News Korea, reports that the trouble stems from a group of senior players born in 1996, namely Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom, being unhappy with Son's leadership. Also citing Star News Korea, Dân trí says tensions began around the Venezuela game in October, when Kim said Son should not put himself above the team, and that after a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan the group reportedly threatened to quit together, prompting a midnight emergency meeting at the KFA. Dân trí adds that the hearing revisited older flashpoints, including tension at the 2022 World Cup and a clash involving Lee Kang-in at the 2024 Asian Cup. KBVN+ has not been able to verify these claims independently, and the players named have not commented in the sources used for this article.

Two more cases at the same hearing

Tuổi Trẻ, citing the Yonhap news agency, reports that lawmaker Jo Gye-won played a recording linked to allegations that Moon Jin-hee, the KFA's former head of refereeing, asked referees and assessors for money while in office. Tuổi Trẻ, citing NewsPim, stresses that it has not been confirmed whether any money changed hands or whether appointments or assessments were affected, so these remain allegations. Moon was summoned as a witness but did not appear, and committee chair Lee Jae-jung said the Assembly would consider using its powers. Moon had been criticised at a hearing on 30 July and resigned on 3 August, Tuổi Trẻ reports.

Also according to Tuổi Trẻ, lawmaker Lim O-kyeong named Yang Min-hyeok, Park Seung-soo and Lee Gi-hyeok, members of the side that won men's football gold at the 2026 Asian Games with a 1-0 win over Japan in the final on 3 October, over comments and actions about their military service exemption. Korean Sport and Olympic Committee president Yoo Seung-min agreed to open an ethics review, though no sanction has been announced.

Why it matters for Vietnam

Korea share an Asian Cup 2027 group with Vietnam, the UAE and Yemen, and Dân trí reports the two sides meet at 17:30 on 15 January 2027. Vietnam's full schedule is in our Asian Cup 2027 kickoff times article. The hearing reached no sporting conclusions, but it shows the KFA under pressure on several fronts a few months before the tournament.

What comes next

  • November 2026: Korea will play their November internationals under interim coach Roberto Moreno, according to Bongda24h.
  • Asian Games discipline: the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee review of the three players has not yet produced an outcome, Tuổi Trẻ reports.
  • Moon Jin-hee: the committee is weighing action over his absence.
  • 15 January 2027: Korea will face Vietnam at 17:30 in the Asian Cup group stage.