Korea Republic: Premier League Nations
The next destination of our alphabetical world tour is the Korea Republic. Often referred to as South Korea, Korea Republic are one of the most successful footballing nations in AFC, appearing at 10 World Cup Finals tournaments and winning two Asian Cups. 13 players have represented the Korea Republic in the Premier League.
First Player – Park Ji-sung (Man United, QPR; 2005-13)
There isn’t much that Park-Ji-sung didn’t manage to fit into his eight years in England. Four Premier League titles, a Champions League and a Club World Cup were among the titles he won at United and he even suffered relegation from the Premier League in his single season with QPR.
Park moved to England in 2005, joining Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven for £4million. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2005/06 season and went on to make 134 league appearances for the Red Devils.
Park won 100 caps for South Korea, appearing and scoring in three consecutive World Cup Finals tournaments from 2002 to 2010.
Records
- Most Appearances – Ki Sung-yueng (187)
- First appearance – Park Ji-sung (Everton 0-2 MAN UNITED, August 13th 2005)
- Most goals – Son Heung-min (51)
- First goal – Park Ji-sung (MAN UNITED 2-0 Arsenal, April 9th 2006)
Current/Most Recent Players
Following Ki Sung-yueng’s departure from Newcastle in January, Spurs dynamo Son Heung-min is now the only South Korean currently playing in the Premier League.
Trivia
- Korea Republic are one of eight AFC nations to have been represented in the Premier League. Only Australia (48) have been represented by more players in the Premier League.
- Park Ji-sung is the only Korean to have won the Premier League.
- Former Reading and Fulham striker Seol Ki-hyeon was the first South Korean to appear in the Champions League and the most fouled player at the 2002 World Cup.