‘Military service benefit’ Kim Min-jae (27, Naples) has a possibility of failing to call for an A-match in June due to the basic military training schedule. Jürgen Klinsmann (59), the Korean national team coach who is aware of this situation, should first consider the ‘replacement’.
On the 28th, 메이저놀이터Kim Min-jae’s side said, “Kim Min-jae plans to enter the training center for basic military training in mid-June.” It is known that the date of enlistment is right before Klinsmann’s first A match in June.
The Korean national soccer team, led by coach Klinsman, will play two A-matches against Peru on June 16 and El Salvador on the 20. Match venue and kickoff time are undecided.
Since both matches are held during the A-match period designated by the International Football Federation (FIFA), all foreign players are subject to convocation. However, there is a possibility that Kim Min-jae’s joining will fail. This is because it coincidentally coincided with his basic military training schedule.
Kim Min-jae, a gold medalist at the 2018 Jakarta/Palembang Asian Games, received special military service benefits and was transferred to an arts and sports personnel.
Athletes who have obtained arts and sports personnel qualifications must undergo basic military training for three weeks within one year after registration. Over the next 34 months, he will have to complete 544 hours of volunteer work while working in the sport.
After winning the Asian Games gold medal, Kim Min-jae was scheduled to complete basic military training in 2019, but the plan was modified to participate in the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup), which was the beginning of the appointment of former coach Paulo Bento.
In the summer of 2022, he could not enter the training center due to injury surgery. Kim Min-jae, who had undergone surgery at the time, completed registration as an arts and sports agent in June of that year. He had to complete three weeks of military training within a year.
Kim Min-jae’s side said, “The enlistment date has not been confirmed. He immediately inquired at the Military Manpower Administration. He hasn’t gotten an answer yet. he is tuned However, it is true that he has to complete training within one year after registration,” he explained.
The Korea Football Association said, “Director Klinsman is also aware of Kim Min-jae’s situation. We are waiting for an answer from the Military Manpower Administration.”
From Kim Min-jae’s point of view, it is better to digest basic military training as soon as possible after finishing this season. Showcasing world-class defense and receiving love calls from big clubs, the right time for his transfer is the upcoming summer. He has to go through basic military training for three weeks so that the transfer can be done easily. This is why the possibility of his June call-up is slim.
Coach Klinsman, who grasped the situation of Kim Min-jae, was forced to think of his backup player.
Kwon Kyung-won (31, Gamba Osaka) filled the void left by Kim Min-jae’s injury in the final match against Portugal in the group stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which ended in December last year (Korea won 2-1, advanced to the round of 16). He was even evaluated as the ‘hidden MVP’ before Portugal.
However, this season, Kwon Kyung-won is getting a chance to play in his team due to injuries.
“Daejeon captain” Cho Yoo-min (27), who helped promote Daejeon Hana Citizen from K-League 2 last season to the first division, also made it to the round of 16 as a central defense in the last minute of the match against Portugal. Here is Park Ji-soo (29, Portimonense), who fell from the horse just before the World Cup.
Seongnam Kim Ji-soo (19), a ‘large center back prospect’, is also worth paying attention to. He made his professional football debut against Suwon Samsung in May of last year and recorded the record for the youngest (17 years, 4 months, 20 days) in K-League 1 history. He played 19 games last year.
Kim Ji-soo is the center back of ‘Kim Eun-joong’ under 20 (U-20) national team. He participated in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup (3rd place in Korea), which ended last month, and led the scoreless in all three matches as a starting player.
He was selected as a ‘K-League All-Star’ and has experience dealing with Tottenham players in the English Premier League.
In an interview on the 26th, after returning from a tour of Europe, coach Klinsman said, “I plan to watch as many games as possible before the roster is announced in June,” and revealed that young players participating in the U-20 World Cup next month are also subject to inspection
. Coach Klinsman suddenly became busy with the possibility of Min-jae Kim’s call-up in February. But maybe this is just the beginning.
Coach Klinsman will lead Korea until the World Cup in North and Central America in 2026. Min-jae Kim, who has a reputation for being active, is in normal condition at each call There is no guarantee that he will join. Finding a reliable ‘backup’ center back is not an option, but a necessity.