South Korea's head coach Hong Myung-Bo has spoken out after a drone was shot down near his team's World Cup training base in Guadalajara, Mexico, ahead of their crucial match against the host nation. The incident has sparked fears of potential spying as the tournament progresses.
Drone Neutralized by Mexican Military
According to the Associated Press, Mexican military forces detected and neutralized an unregistered drone flying near the South Korean training camp. A Mexican federal agent, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the operation. The drone was shot down using special equipment, though it remains unclear when exactly the incident occurred or if any arrests were made.
Hong Myung-Bo's Response
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Hong expressed relief that the drone was spotted before the team worked on their tactical plans. "So yesterday, during our training, there was a drone in the sky and we came to know about the fact," he said. "But fortunately, it was right before we practiced our tactics. So it did not impact us significantly. But while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing. So what happened was unfortunate."
Match Stakes High
South Korea faces Mexico on Thursday, with a win securing a spot in the knockout stages for either side. The incident adds tension to an already high-stakes encounter.
Security Measures Intensified
Since the tournament began, security has been ramped up across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Several drones have been neutralized after attempting to enter restricted zones around stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, as well as fan zones and training bases. In March, Mexican authorities unveiled "Plan Kukulkan," a comprehensive security plan involving around 100,000 personnel from police and military forces. The plan includes early warning systems, security at stadiums, airports, roads, and hotels, and protection protocols for teams and officials.
In Canada, unauthorized drones are banned from flying over World Cup stadiums and training bases in Vancouver and Toronto until July 7.
Other Security Incidents
The drone incident is not the first security breach at the tournament. England's training kit was stolen in transit from Miami to Kansas City, but police recovered the items and took two suspects into custody. Kansas City Police stated, "We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived with items missing on Friday evening. The investigation is ongoing and two subjects of interest were taken into custody."
