​Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan Issue Joint Statement Addressing South Korea National Team Controversy

​To all fans who love Korean football,

First of all, we sincerely apologize for causing concern among the public and football fans following the various reports surrounding the national team in recent days.

During this training camp, we came together and had an honest discussion about our respective views on the national team. Through listening directly to one another and explaining our positions, we were able to better understand perspectives that had not been fully communicated before.

Most importantly, we reaffirmed that we all share the same goal: South Korean football, which has been struggling to make progress, must move forward and achieve greater things. We must deliver performances and results worthy of the history and standing of Korean football, repaying the support of the nation. This commitment has never changed, either in the past or today.

Despite having just completed long-distance flights, we held lengthy discussions and openly shared our feelings about the national team's preparation process and overall operations. The regret and disappointment we felt after failing to meet expectations at the previous World Cup remain deeply in our hearts. Our discussions began with one fundamental question: What changes are necessary to ensure that the same disappointment is not repeated?

We would like to make it clear that the concerns raised by national team players did not stem from any personal conflict with an individual player, nor were they driven by personal interests regarding any specific matter. Instead, they were based on our shared belief that the national team must improve. Furthermore, reports claiming that certain players threatened to leave the national team unless their demands were met are completely untrue.

We chose not to respond individually to the reports because we believed that issues within the national team should first be discussed and resolved internally. Although many details have been reported inaccurately, it has been difficult for us to communicate face-to-face while each of us is playing for different clubs. We felt that making separate public statements before having sufficient discussions could lead to further misunderstandings.

More importantly, we did not want discussions originally intended to improve the national team to be exaggerated by unverified rumors and portrayed as conflicts between players, ultimately overshadowing the real purpose of those discussions.

Now, we hope to put unnecessary controversy behind us and focus on building the national team together moving forward. We have stood side by side fighting for Korean football for many years, and we will continue to move forward as teammates with the same goal.

We will respect and trust one another's roles and responsibilities, working together to set a positive example for the younger players who will write the next chapter of Korean football.

We will use the time leading up to the next Asian Cup to prepare more thoroughly and maintain closer communication with the Korea Football Association, ensuring that the regrets and disappointments of the previous tournament are not repeated.

We understand that, more than our explanations, the public expects sincerity and outstanding performances from us on the pitch. In the upcoming friendly matches, we will stand united and give our very best, demonstrating the attitude and performance worthy of the history and standing of Korean football in return for everyone's encouragement and support.

Thank you.

Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan