The South Korea national football team has found itself embroiled in significant controversy while preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Following the leak of comments regarding captain Son Heung-min's military service, the players collectively decided to boycott all media interactions. This incident occurred during a training session in Mexico on June 7, when Korean reporters forgot to turn off their microphones, resulting in their conversations being broadcast live. Negative comments and criticisms about Son Heung-min quickly spread, igniting strong backlash from fans and members of the Korean football community. This issue is particularly sensitive in South Korea, where most men are required to serve in the military. Although Son Heung-min was exempted from military service after playing a crucial role in winning a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, he completed basic military training in 2020. In response to the leaked comments, the players decided to refuse interviews with the media to show support for their captain, and the Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a strong statement. The KFA emphasized that while they respect the media's role, the protection and respect of the players must come first. South Korea won their opening match in Group A against the Czech Republic with a score of 2-1, and their next game is against the host nation Mexico on June 18.