South Korea's football governing body said Thursday it will retain beleaguered men's national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, despite the country's poor showing at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Huh Jung-moo, vice president of the Korea Football Association (KFA), said Hong will stay on board for the duration of his contract, which runs through the Asian Cup tournament in January next year.

South Korea had one draw and two losses in Group H in Brazil, for its first winless World Cup since 1998. Hong had come under pressure to step down to take the fall for the performance but had been noncommittal about his future.

"Coach Hong's resignation in light of the disappointing World Cup isn't the best solution," Huh said. "We've decided to trust him and support him going forward." (Yonhap)