Klinsmann calls up Park Jin-seob, the once-amateur making his rise

The Korean national team’s 3-0 win against China in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Nov. 21 was a moment to remember in Park Jin-seob's long journey as the once-amateur got his first duty call.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Park Jin-seob celebrates scoring a goal during a K League match against Suwon FC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla on May 21. [NEWS1]

The Korean national team’s 3-0 win against China in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Nov. 21 was a moment to remember in Park Jin-seob's long journey as the once-amateur got his first duty call.

The Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender made his first-ever cap in China, six years after starting his career at a works team.

The 28-year-old did not have any impact on Korea’s victory, with the score already 3-0 when he replaced Kim Tae-hwan in the 90th minute, but it was a moment to remember for Park as he reached a field he may have dreamed of.

Park began his career at works team Daejeon Korail KC in the National League — now called the K3 — in 2017. Park has made gradual improvements since then, which have allowed moves to greener pastures.

Park initially started as a forward and displayed a solid performance in his debut year, scoring 11 goals for Korail KC.

Those stats allowed him to join Ansan Greeners of the K League 2 the following year, where he switched his playing position to defensive midfielder and began to show what he could offer.

With another good performance during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he moved to another K League 2 side, Daejeon Hana Citizen — now in the K League 1 — in 2020. It was there he established himself as a key player and went on to become the team’s captain.

He was also voted into the K League 2’s best XI in 2021, after which he joined K League 1 side Jeonbuk in 2022.

Park mostly played as a center back during his first season at Jeonbuk and improved defensive factors significantly, earning a place in the 2022 K League 1’s best XI.

That remarkable performance also made it onto the radar of then-U-24 national team manager Hwang Sun-hong, who picked Park as a wildcard for the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Korea's Park Jin-seob, right, vies for the ball during a Hangzhou Asian Games quaterfinal match against China at HSC Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Oct. 1. [NEWS1]

His impact on the team was clearly visible throughout the Asiad, as he led the defense to reach the final, winning a coveted gold medal granting the entire squad exemption from mandatory military service that could otherwise interfere with their careers.

His impressive form both in the domestic league and on the international stage was likely the biggest factor that prompted national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann to call him up.

Klinsmann may give him more playing time in Korea’s upcoming international matches if the defender maintains his current form.

Making more caps would also raise his potential to move onto the European stage, which is more likely now that he is exempt from military service.

He might even become the next Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich, who also started his career at a works team, Gyeongju KHNP, in 2016 and went on to become one of the best defenders in the world.

Whether Klinsmann will call up Park for the upcoming matches remains to be seen, but it will be ideal for Park to make more caps and play in the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled in January next year, where he could further prove his potential and establish himself as a regular national team pick.

Until then, Park will continue to be in action with Jeonbuk, as the club faces Gwangju FC in the K League on Saturday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]