Seoul, South Korea. Thousands of football supporters clashed with police outside the Korean Football Association headquarters on Wednesday evening, venting fury over the national team’s faltering World Cup qualifying campaign. The protests turned violent after 48 hours of peaceful demonstrations demanding the dismissal of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
The unrest began shortly after the KFA announced it would not immediately review the German coach’s position, despite the national side sitting third in their qualifying group with only two wins from six matches. Fans, many draped in South Korean flags, hurled bottles and flares at officers, who responded with baton charges and water cannons.
The KFA building sustained damage to its ground-floor windows and entrance. Thirty-four people were arrested, and 12 officers received minor injuries, according to Seoul Metropolitan Police. The city has deployed an additional 2,000 riot police to the area.
Klinsmann, 59, a World Cup winner as a player and former coach of Germany and the United States, has faced mounting criticism since a 2-0 home defeat to Iran last month. His tactics and player selections have been described by local media as “disjointed” and “uninspired.” A petition calling for his removal has gathered over 200,000 signatures.
The KFA issued a statement urging “calm and patience,” insisting that the qualification campaign remains on track. “We understand the frustration of our supporters,” the statement read. “But violence is not the answer. The board will make a considered decision in due course.”
The outburst of public anger reflects a deeper anxiety in South Korean football. The nation, which reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, has not advanced beyond the group stage since 2010. The current qualifying campaign, part of the path to the 2026 World Cup in North America, has yielded performances widely deemed below expectation.
International observers note that South Korea’s fan culture, typically disciplined and passionate, has grown increasingly volatile with the rise of social media-driven campaigns against national team figures. Similar protests occurred in 2014 when the team exited the World Cup without a win.
Analysts suggest the KFA faces a difficult choice between immediate dismissal, which could further destabilise the squad, or allowing Klinsmann to continue in the hope of a turnaround in the remaining four qualifiers. South Korea’s next match is against Syria on June 6.
As darkness fell, the crowds began to disperse, but the mood remained sour. “We have the talent,” said Kim Jong-soo, a 34-year-old accountant who attended the protest. “We have the passion. But we do not have the leadership. The board must listen.”
The KFA has called an emergency board meeting for Friday.
