One Day Before Soccer National Team Announcement, Hong Jun-pyo Targets Again: "Lee Kang-in No"

One day before the selection of the soccer A national team, Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo stated that soccer player Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) should not be selected.

On the 9th, Mayor Hong responded "Not possible" to a post on the communication channel 'Dream of Youth' asking, "Should Lee Kang-in, who caused the table tennis gate controversy, be selected for the soccer match against Thailand on the 21st?" He cited the reason that "Lee Kang-in's character is unsuitable for team sports."

Lee Kang-in [Photo by Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

So far, Mayor Hong has strongly criticized Lee Kang-in regarding the discord rumors within the national soccer team. After it became known that he clashed with captain Son Heung-min, he said, "Whether in politics or soccer, those with bad character should be expelled." Even after news came that Lee Kang-in apologized to Son Heung-min, he continued to criticize, saying, "Reconciliation is only a mitigating factor. Where does that mindset go?"

In response, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, pointed out, "No one has ever appointed Mayor Hong as the 'Lee Kang-in Character Director,'" adding, "This is bad for Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, and all national team players."

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu
Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

Hwang Sun-hong, interim coach of the Korean national soccer team, will announce the roster of the Taegeuk Warriors for the two matches of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Asian second qualifying round against Thailand at 11 a.m. on the 11th at the Football Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Coach Hwang, who is also the head coach of the under-23 (U-23) national team, took the interim helm of the A team just before the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which is the qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics finals.

Coach Hwang and Lee Kang-in won the gold medal together at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held last year. Since Coach Hwang has mastered how to utilize Lee Kang-in and Lee Kang-in has continued to demonstrate his skills even after the table tennis gate incident, attention is focused on whether Coach Hwang will extend a hand to Lee Kang-in.

Earlier, soccer national team player Lee Kang-in posted a second apology on social media on the 21st, about ten days after the conflict with team captain Son Heung-min erupted on the 6th of last month, and revealed that he went to London, UK, to apologize in person. On the same day, Son Heung-min posted a photo taken with Lee Kang-in, appealing, "Kang-in is going through a difficult time," and asking for forgiveness with a generous heart.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.