Klinsmann, a FIFA World Cup winner as a player in 1990, was dismissed after Korea Republic's semi-final exit from the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ in February.

Hong returns as Korea Republic head coach 10 years after stepping down in the wake of the team's group-stage exit from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Hong, 55, is celebrated as one of Korea Republic's greatest football players. As a defender, he captained them to the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Korea Republic co-hosted with Japan, and scored the decisive penalty in a quarter-final shootout against Spain.

Hong, who steered Ulsan Hyundai to the last two K League 1 titles, will guide Korea Republic in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 with Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait their opponents in Group B.