{
  "id": 19596504,
  "title": "Heung Min says divisions at heart of South Korea team resolved",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/heung-min-says-divisions-at-heart-of-south-korea-team-resolved",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T03:31:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/11/1575987/heung-min-says-divisions-heart-south-korea-team-resolved"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEOUL - South Korean players Son Heung Min and four others have declared that they have overcome their internal divisions, according to reports on Thursday. The controversy arose following South Korea's disappointing exit from the World Cup group stage, which led to coach Hong Myung-bo's resignation due to unpopularity.\n\nSon, Kim Min-jae, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang In-beom, and Hwang Hee-chan released a joint statement to fans expressing regret for the concerns caused by the recent reports regarding the national team. They acknowledged that they held open and honest talks to better understand each other's positions and learn from the mistakes made during the World Cup.\n\nThe players admitted to still being affected by the World Cup experience, but they emphasized that they would now put unnecessary controversy behind them and concentrate on strengthening the national team. Spanish coach Robert Moreno, who took over Hong's interim role, is set to leave his position soon. South Korea is scheduled to play Saudi Arabia in Qatar on Friday, followed by another friendly against Qatar four days later. The matches were initially planned as warm-ups for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, but due to postponement, they will now take place next year.",
  "summary": "SEOUL: Son Heung Min and four other South Korean players said Thursday they had put their differences aside after reports of bitter internal divisions at the heart of the national team.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Son Heung-min says divisions at heart of South Korea team resolved",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/son-heung-min-says-divisions-at-heart-of-south-korea-team-resolved",
        "published": "2026-11-12T03:36:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}