Kim Jong-hun (김정훈; born September 1, 1956) is a retired North Korean footballer and football manager. He served as head coach of the North Korea national team, and managed them at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
After ending his player career, Kim became a manager. He managed April 25 Sports Team until 2007, when he became the manager of North Korea national team.[1] In 2009, he led the team as it qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, their first since 1966.[2][3]
After a disappointing showing at the World Cup, Kim faced harsh criticism upon his return to North Korea. Radio Free Asia reported that he was publicly shamed and condemned for hours in front of 400 people, including the North Korean sports minister.[4]
At the same event, the team members were commanded to individually criticize their coach, who was accused of betraying General Kim Jong-un, the country's heir apparent.[4] The report also mentioned that he had been stripped of his membership in the Workers' Party of Korea and forced to work hard labor on a construction site as punishment.[4] It is however unknown whether Kim was really faced with such a violating punishment, as far as North Korea has its information mostly closed from the other world. Little is known about Kim Jong-hun's current (by October 2024) occupation, probably due to the same reason.