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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of South Korea.
VS
The 33 of South Korea.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
Son Heung-min 144 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 56 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 LeverkusenAgainst Burnley on 7 December 2019 he collected the ball outside his own penalty area and ran 71.4 metres past six defenders in eleven seconds before finishing, a goal that won him the FIFA Puskas Award.
LM2010–
Son Heung-min 144 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 56 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 LeverkusenAgainst Burnley on 7 December 2019 he collected the ball outside his own penalty area and ran 71.4 metres past six defenders in eleven seconds before finishing, a goal that won him the FIFA Puskas Award.
LM2010–
02
CB
Cha Bum-kun 129 caps (South Korea) · 56 goals · SV Darmstadt 98, Eintracht Frankfurt
RM1972–1986
03
Park Ji-sung 100 caps (South Korea) · 13 goals · Kyoto Sanga, PSV EindhovenUnited supporters called him Three-Lung Park, and the 2010 tie with Milan showed why: Ferguson gave him Andrea Pirlo, and he shadowed the Italian for 180 minutes, scoring himself in the 4-0 second leg at Old Trafford.
CM2000–2011
Park Ji-sung 100 caps (South Korea) · 13 goals · Kyoto Sanga, PSV EindhovenUnited supporters called him Three-Lung Park, and the 2010 tie with Milan showed why: Ferguson gave him Andrea Pirlo, and he shadowed the Italian for 180 minutes, scoring himself in the 4-0 second leg at Old Trafford.
CM2000–2011
04
HM
Hong Myung-bo 136 caps (South Korea) · FC Pohang Steelers, Shonan BellmareIn Gwangju on 22 June 2002 he walked up to take South Korea's fifth penalty against Spain and buried it, sending the hosts into a World Cup semi-final.
CB1990–2002
05
KM
Kim Min-jae Naples called him il Mostro in his first season there, 2022/23, when he replaced Kalidou Koulibaly and played 35 of 38 league games for a side that had not won Italy since Maradona.About the editorial selection
CB
06
HS
Hwang Sun-hong 103 caps (South Korea) · 50 goals · FC Pohang Steelers, Cerezo Osaka
ST1988–2002
07
YS
Yoo Sang-chul 124 caps (South Korea) · Ulsan HD, Yokohama F. MarinosAlready eliminated and a goal down to Belgium at France 98, he lashed in the 72nd-minute equaliser that salvaged a 1-1 draw, then four years later scored South Korea's second in the Poland win that opened 2002.
CDM1994–2005
08
Ahn Jung-hwan 71 caps (South Korea) · 17 goals · Busan IPark, Shimizu S-PulseIn the 117th minute against Italy in Daejeon on 18 June 2002, he met Lee Young-pyo's cross with his head and sent the co-hosts into the quarter-finals, and Perugia terminated his contract the following day.
SS1997–2010
Ahn Jung-hwan 71 caps (South Korea) · 17 goals · Busan IPark, Shimizu S-PulseIn the 117th minute against Italy in Daejeon on 18 June 2002, he met Lee Young-pyo's cross with his head and sent the co-hosts into the quarter-finals, and Perugia terminated his contract the following day.
SS1997–2010
09
CS
Choi Soon-ho 97 caps (South Korea) · 30 goals · FC Pohang Steelers, FC SeoulItaly were defending the World Cup when he struck from outside the box in the 62nd minute at Puebla on 10 June 1986, and he set up Huh Jung-moo's late goal in the 3-2 defeat that followed.
ST1980–1991
10
Ki Sung-yueng 110 caps (South Korea) · FC Seoul, CelticThirty-two minutes into the 2011 Scottish Cup final at Hampden he hit a left-footed drive from 25 yards, the goal that opened Celtic's 3-0 win over Motherwell.
CDM2008–2019
Ki Sung-yueng 110 caps (South Korea) · FC Seoul, CelticThirty-two minutes into the 2011 Scottish Cup final at Hampden he hit a left-footed drive from 25 yards, the goal that opened Celtic's 3-0 win over Motherwell.
CDM2008–2019
11
KJ
Kim Joo-sung 76 caps (South Korea) · 14 goals · Busan IPark, VfL BochumKorean terraces called him Yasaengma, the Wild Horse, for the hair flying behind him as he drove the ball out of defence, and those runs carried South Korea to the 1988 Asian Cup final.
LM1985–1996
12
Lee Woon-jae 133 caps (South Korea) · Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Gimcheon SangmuJoaquín stepped up with Spain's fourth kick of the Gwangju shootout on 22 June 2002, and the goalkeeper Koreans called Geomison, Spider Hands, pushed it away to send the co-hosts into a World Cup semi-final.
GK1994–2010
Lee Woon-jae 133 caps (South Korea) · Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Gimcheon SangmuJoaquín stepped up with Spain's fourth kick of the Gwangju shootout on 22 June 2002, and the goalkeeper Koreans called Geomison, Spider Hands, pushed it away to send the co-hosts into a World Cup semi-final.
GK1994–2010
13
LY
Lee Young-pyo 127 caps (South Korea) · PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham HotspurThe cross that knocked Italy out on 18 June 2002 was his, 117 minutes gone in Daejeon, Ahn Jung-hwan climbing above Paolo Maldini to head the golden goal.
LB1999–2011
14
Hwang Hee-chan 82 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 17 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · FC Red Bull Salzburg, FC LieferingOn 2 December 2022 in Qatar, Son Heung-min broke out of a Portugal corner, ran the length of the pitch and slid the ball through Diogo Dalot's legs for Hwang to score the 91st-minute winner. He won Asian Games gold in 2018, scoring in extra time of the final against Japan, took four Austrian titles at Salzburg, and in 2023 hit six goals in Wolves' first ten league games, a start unmatched at the club since Derek Dougan.
SS2016–
Hwang Hee-chan 82 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 17 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · FC Red Bull Salzburg, FC LieferingOn 2 December 2022 in Qatar, Son Heung-min broke out of a Portugal corner, ran the length of the pitch and slid the ball through Diogo Dalot's legs for Hwang to score the 91st-minute winner. He won Asian Games gold in 2018, scoring in extra time of the final against Japan, took four Austrian titles at Salzburg, and in 2023 hit six goals in Wolves' first ten league games, a start unmatched at the club since Derek Dougan.
SS2016–
15
LD
Lee Dong-gook 103 caps (South Korea) · 33 goals · FC Pohang Steelers, Gimcheon SangmuHe finished on 1 November 2020, 41 years old, walking off after a 2-0 win over Daegu that made Jeonbuk champions for the eighth time in his twelve seasons at the club.
ST1998–2014
16
Lee Kang-in 29 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 10 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Valencia, Mallorca
CAM2019–
Lee Kang-in 29 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · 10 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Valencia, Mallorca
CAM2019–
17
CJ
Choi Jin-cheul 65 caps (South Korea) · Jeonbuk Hyundai MotorsThe 2002 back three was Hong Myung-bo, Kim Tae-young and him, and he was still going four years later, voted best player of the 2006 AFC Champions League as Jeonbuk beat Al-Karamah 3-2 in the final.
CB1997–2006
19
HJ
Huh Jung-moo 103 caps (South Korea) · 30 goals · Gyeongju Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, PSV EindhovenHis 89th-minute goal against Italy in Puebla on 10 June 1986 made it 3-2 and was the last thing Korea did at their first World Cup in 32 years; the terraces called him the Jindo dog for the way he covered ground.
CAM1974–1986
21
KB
Kim Byung-ji 61 caps (South Korea) · Ulsan HD, FC Pohang SteelersOn 22 November 2014 he became the oldest man ever to play a K League match, at 44 years and seven months, and he carried on until retiring at 46.
GK1995–2008
22
KD
Kim Do-hoon 72 caps (South Korea) · 30 goals · Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Vissel Kobe
ST1994–2003
23
Kim Nam-il 98 caps (South Korea) · Jeonnam Dragons, Vissel KobeThe Vacuum Cleaner was what Korean crowds called him, and at the 2002 World Cup he shielded the back three through all five matches to the quarter-final before an ankle injury kept him out of the semi-final against Germany.
CDM1998–2013
Kim Nam-il 98 caps (South Korea) · Jeonnam Dragons, Vissel KobeThe Vacuum Cleaner was what Korean crowds called him, and at the 2002 World Cup he shielded the back three through all five matches to the quarter-final before an ankle injury kept him out of the semi-final against Germany.
CDM1998–2013
24
Lee Chung-yong 89 caps (South Korea) · 9 goals · FC Seoul, Bolton WanderersAt Soccer City on 17 June 2010 he robbed Martín Demichelis in first-half stoppage time and clipped the ball past Sergio Romero, the goal Korean fans replay whenever Argentina come around.
RM2008–2019
Lee Chung-yong 89 caps (South Korea) · 9 goals · FC Seoul, Bolton WanderersAt Soccer City on 17 June 2010 he robbed Martín Demichelis in first-half stoppage time and clipped the ball past Sergio Romero, the goal Korean fans replay whenever Argentina come around.
RM2008–2019
25
Cha Du-ri 76 caps (South Korea) · Eintracht Frankfurt, TuS KoblenzKorean fans called him the Chaminator, and on 22 January 2015 in Melbourne the name fit: 34, on as a substitute, he ripped down the right in extra time and squared for Son Heung-min to make it 2-0.
RB2001–2015
Cha Du-ri 76 caps (South Korea) · Eintracht Frankfurt, TuS KoblenzKorean fans called him the Chaminator, and on 22 January 2015 in Melbourne the name fit: 34, on as a substitute, he ripped down the right in extra time and squared for Son Heung-min to make it 2-0.
RB2001–2015
26
Cho Hyun-woo Daegu, Ulsan HDSeven saves in Kazan on 27 June 2018 made a household name of the third-choice goalkeeper, with Germany beaten 2-0 and the holders out at the group stage.
GK2015–
Cho Hyun-woo Daegu, Ulsan HDSeven saves in Kazan on 27 June 2018 made a household name of the third-choice goalkeeper, with Germany beaten 2-0 and the holders out at the group stage.
GK2015–
27
KT
Kim Tae-young Christian Vieri's elbow broke his nose in the 2002 round of 16 against Italy, so he played the rest of the tournament in a moulded mask that shifted and stung whenever he headed the ball.About the editorial selection
CB
28
CK
Cho Kwang-rae 95 caps (South Korea) · 15 goals · FC Pohang Steelers, Gimcheon SangmuAt the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul he opened the scoring in the semi-final and again in the final, a win over Saudi Arabia he later named the best match of his career.
CM1975–1986
29
KJ
Ko Jong-soo 38 caps (South Korea) · 6 goals · Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Kyoto SangaIn Korea they named the turf in front of and to the right of the penalty arc after him, because a dead ball there and that left foot usually meant a goal.
CAM1997–2001
30
PK
Park Kyung-hoon 94 caps (South Korea) · FC Pohang Steelers, YeadingMexico City, 2 June 1986: he came on for the last half-hour against Argentina with Diego Maradona to watch, and Park Chang-sun struck South Korea's first World Cup goal in the 73rd minute.
RB1980–1990
31
CY
Cho Young-jeung 109 caps (South Korea) · Portland Timbers, Chicago StingA sweeper by trade, he scored in six consecutive K League matches in 1984, a run that stood until Hwang Sun-hong broke it in 1995, and in 1982 he had already made the NASL All-Star first team with the Portland Timbers.
CB1975–1986
32
Kim Jin-su 74 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · Albirex Niigata, TSG 1899 HoffenheimWith the first period of extra time running out against Bahrain in Dubai on 22 January 2019, he rose to Lee Yong's cross and headed South Korea into the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
LB2013–
Kim Jin-su 74 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (South Korea) · Albirex Niigata, TSG 1899 HoffenheimWith the first period of extra time running out against Bahrain in Dubai on 22 January 2019, he rose to Lee Yong's cross and headed South Korea into the Asian Cup quarter-finals.
LB2013–
33
KH
Kim Ho-kon 120 caps (South Korea)The Asian Games final of 20 December 1978 was the first meeting between South and North Korea, and he captained the South through 120 goalless minutes to a shared gold.
CB1971–1979
About this XI
South Korea's pool is led by Son Heung-min, Cha Bum-kun and Park Ji-sung. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1970s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Who is the greatest South Korea footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Son Heung-min. Its first five careers: Son Heung-min, Cha Bum-kun, Park Ji-sung, Hong Myung-bo, Kim Min-jae. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 South Korea players chosen?
The collection covers every position across South Korea's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own South Korea all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.