Following a relatively comfortable 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their opening game of the World Cup, South Korea had qualification well and truly in their hands.
Successive defeats to hosts Mexico and South Africa killed their dream of making it to the round of 32, however.
In part of a lengthy statement on X, South Korean president Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into their elimination.
"I am not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome - I am utterly baffled,” he said.
"Given that significant national taxpayer funds and state support resources are invested even in World Cup participation, I ask that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism thoroughly investigate the precise circumstances of this incident, analyse its causes, and develop thorough measures for preventing recurrence and improvement.
“We will swiftly push forward with reforms to sports administration to ensure such a thing never happens again."
Myung-bo has now fallen on his sword and stepped down from his position as head coach of the South Korea national team.