"Soccer Association Was Too Arrogant"...Park Hang-seo Annual Salary 600,000 Dollars, 67-Year-Old's Determined Remarks
Former World Cup Support Task Force Director Park Hang-seo directly criticized the Korean Football Association's cartel. His final World Cup ranking of 34th and his 600,000-dollar annual salary during his time as Vietnam's coach came under scrutiny again.
Translated from Korean with AI assistance. Read the original. Sources and original publication dates are retained.
"The soccer association was too arrogant." This is a single sentence from Park Hang-seo, former 2026 North/Central American World Cup Support Task Force Director. OSEN cited his appearance on the YouTube show 'Seo Hyoung-wook's Pollee TV' posted on September 2, stating he directly criticized the Korean Football Association reported.
Manager Park Hang-seo's Original Remarks: "The Cartel Must Be Broken"
His remarks have two focuses. One is the diagnosis that "the soccer association was too arrogant," and the other is the demand to "break the cartel that exists there." The latter is the expression conveyed by Chosun Biz based on OSEN's reporting. Former Director Park said he also found it difficult to understand how former manager Hong Myung-bo's (57) resignation press conference ended without a question-and-answer session.
As of September 4, the source of these remarks is OSEN's reporting and articles based on it. There is no independent media comparison of the original text yet. Manager appointment procedures and association operational transparency were also issues addressed in National Assembly hearings. Former Chairman Jung Mong-gyu (64) took office in 2013, served through four terms, and then resigned on July 6, 2026. It was his departure after 13 years of tenure.
World Cup Group A Record: 1 Win 2 Losses, Final Ranking 34th
The background of his remarks remains in the numbers. According to the Korean Football Association's count, South Korea recorded a 2-1 victory against Czech Republic, a 0-1 loss against Mexico, and a 0-1 loss against South Africa in Group A, earning 3 points and finishing third in the group. The FIFA Training Center's match report hub also tallied the same results. Goals scored in three matches: 2, goals conceded: 3. There was only one victory, in the first match.
FIFA ranked South Korea among 48 nations 34thin the final rankings. Even among eliminated teams, it ranked below Iran (33rd) and above Turkey (35th). Former Director Park said at a closing press conference held on June 28 (local time) in Sapo Pan, Mexico: "On behalf of the Korean Football Association, I offer my sincere apologies" stated.
Park Hang-seo's Salary: 600,000 Dollars Annually During Vietnam Years
The money discussion comes from Vietnam. After his 2019 contract renewal, Manager Park Hang-seo's annual salary with Vietnam's national team was 50,000 dollars per month after taxes, annually 600,000 dollarsaccording to reports. VnExpress and Maeil Business Newspaper reported the same figures. Before the contract renewal, it was 240,000 dollars after taxes, according to Seoul Newspaper. From 240,000 to 600,000 represents a 2.5-fold increase. Official contract figures have never been disclosed.
| Ranking | Name | Monthly Salary | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shin Tae-yong | Amount Unknown | Indonesia National Team |
| 2 | Nishino Akira | 80,000 dollars | Thailand National Team |
| 3 | Park Hang-seo | 50,000 dollars | Vietnam National Team |
| 4 | Manu Folking | 30,000 dollars | Ho Chi Minh City FC |
| 5 | Kiatisak Senamuang | 26,000 dollars | HAGL |
The above ranking shows the top 5 Southeast Asian managers' monthly salaries compiled by Vietnamese media 24h.com.vn in December 2020. Park Hang-seo ranked third. He had a monthly difference of 30,000 dollars compared to second-place Nishino Akira and 20,000 dollars compared to fourth-place Manu Folking.
Born January 4, 1959, he is 67 years old. From September 2017 to January 2023, he managed Vietnam's A national team for 5 years and 4 months, bringing them the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup championship. According to Sofascore, his all-time managerial record is 494 matches with 201 wins, 106 draws, and 187 losses. In April 2025, he served as vice president of the association, and the following month as World Cup Support Task Force Director, resigning in July 2026.
In July, he was appointed manager of Thailand Division 2's Kanchanaburi Power FC and signed a 2-year contract. The club did not disclose his salary. His apology was on June 28, and his criticism on September 2. In June, he said: "I believe the Korean Football Association needs to move forward preparing for the future with bone-deep reflection and self-examination."
Related Official Websites
- Korean Football Association — where you can check national team news and official association announcements
- Korean Football Association's Past Executive Boards — where you can view the 55th executive board roster and officer composition
- FIFA World Cup 2026 — group stage results and 48-nation final standings original text
- Kanchanaburi Power FC — Manager Park Hang-seo's current club official homepage
Featured image · Photo=Wikimedia Commons (DangTungDuong at Vietnamese Wikipedia), CC BY 3.0
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