The Korea Football Association has officially denied rumors regarding the potential retirement of national team players Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang In-beom.
The South Korean men's national football team, led by manager Moreno, secured a 2-0 victory yesterday in their final A-match schedule against Uzbekistan.
However, following the match, reports emerged that Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan, and Hwang In-beom—all born in 1996—were contemplating retirement from the national team.
Rumors of a joint retirement spread after some media outlets reported that the expressions and atmosphere of the three players captured in photos after the match against Uzbekistan seemed unusual, and that they had allegedly expressed intentions to retire to some of their teammates in the locker room.
Meeting with reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Hwang In-beom addressed questions regarding the retirement rumors by explaining, "I didn't shed tears when the photo was taken. That happened during my post-match interview after the previous game."
He added, "Because I approached the game with the mindset that 'this match could be my last,' such moments seemed to have occurred."
When asked if the three players embroiled in retirement rumors would still be seen playing in the upcoming November A-matches provided they are in good condition, he responded, "I think that is a matter for the manager to decide."
As inquiries continued following his ambiguous response, an official from the Korea Football Association stepped in to officially defuse the situation, stating, "As you confirmed through the player's interview, it is a false report."
However, when asked if the other two players could be verified, the official emphasized, "It is difficult to confirm stories originating from the team locker room, but as of now, it is completely groundless."
Subsequently, Hwang In-beom, Kim Min-jae, and Hwang Hee-chan, who had already left the stadium, reportedly re-entered the locker room to converse with National Team Strengthening Committee Chairman Hyun Young-min.
Following a conversation that lasted for nearly an hour, Kim Min-jae emerged past midnight, followed shortly by Hwang In-beom and Hwang Hee-chan together.
While Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan remained silent to questions, Hwang In-beom reiterated to reporters, "No, no," clearly denying the retirement rumors.
Chairman Hyun, who left the stadium afterward, cautioned against overinterpreting the situation, telling reporters, "The players talked a lot about the difficulties they have experienced so far. We talked about gathering strength together to do well, and there were no direct conversations related to retirement."
Reported by Park Se-won | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.