The national soccer federation on Tuesday called on people to refrain from hurling insults and personal attacks at players, saying such behavior does not help the sport.
In a statement, the Korea Football Association (KFA) noted the recent spread of "unverified information and speculative assertions" on social media and online communities regarding members of the men's national team.
The Taegeuk Warriors have come under siege in recent days over rumors of internal feuding. Following a friendly match against Uzbekistan last Tuesday, three players born in 1996 -- Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom and Kim Min-jae -- reportedly told their teammates that they would retire from international play, citing frustration with the leadership group that includes longtime captain Son Heung-min and fellow 34-year-old Lee Jae-sung.
Rumors have been rampant on online soccer fan sites and YouTube channels over who started what within the national team, with some backing Son as captain and others calling for him to step aside and cede the captaincy to a younger player.
The KFA said while it respects different opinions and constructive criticism from fans, it was "deeply concerned" about the circulation of groundless rumors and vitriol that borders on libel.
"Some moments from training sessions or players' everyday lives have been taken out of context to turn internal strife into fact, and there have also been deepfake clips that have left players exposed to ridicule and slander," the KFA said. "Furthermore, people have launched personal attacks on players on their social media pages and even on their clubs' social media accounts. These acts can place a grave psychological burden on players and do not in any way help South Korean soccer."
The KFA also vowed a "stern response" to the unauthorized use of its intellectual property, such as video clips and photos, to create and spread false information.
"Each member of the national soccer team deserves respect," the KFA said. "Players may have different opinions. The process of recognizing those differences, freely exchanging views and finding the best direction for the team is necessary to build a healthy organization. During this process, judging the team based on only fragments of information and speculation to fuel further conflict must be discouraged."
"We at the KFA must provide all the necessary support for the players so that they can concentrate on their matches," the KFA added. "We take that responsibility seriously. And we duly accept that we have caused our fans much concern with the ongoing situation. We will keep our ears open to our players, but also humbly accept different opinions and criticism from our fans." (Yonhap)