South Korea national under-23 football team

Korea Republic U-23

Nickname(s)	Taegeuk Warriors Tigers of Asia
Association	Korea Football Association (KFA)
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach	Lee Min-sung
Most caps	Lee Ki-hyung (48)
Top scorer	Choi Yong-soo (25)
FIFA code	KOR
First colours Second colours
First international
South Korea 5–0 Indonesia   (Masan, South Korea; 24 March 1991) [1]
Biggest win
South Korea 10–0 Philippines   (Seoul, South Korea; 18 May 1991)   South Korea 10–0 Philippines   (Yangon, Myanmar; 30 June 2012)   South Korea 10–0 Macau   (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 19 July 2017)
Biggest defeat
Saudi Arabia 4–0 South Korea   (Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 10 October 2025)
Olympic Games
Appearances	8 (first in 1992 )
Best result	Bronze medalists (2012)
Asian Games
Appearances	6 (first in 2002 )
Best result	Gold medalists (2014, 2018, 2022)
AFC U-23 Asian Cup
Appearances	7 (first in 2013 )
Best result	Champions (2020)
Medal record Olympic Games 2012 London Asian Games 2014 Incheon 2018 Jakarta-Palembang 2022 Hangzhou 2002 Busan 2010 Guangzhou AFC U-23 Asian Cup Winner 2020 Thailand Runner-up 2016 Qatar WAFF U-23 Championship Winner 2024 Saudi Arabia

The South Korea national under-23 football team (Korean : 대한민국 23세 이하 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA, and Republic of Korea by IOC) represents South Korea at football in the Olympic Games and Asian Games. It was founded when the Olympic football was changed to an under-23 competition. It also can be managed as an under-21 or under-22 team if necessary.

History

Main article: History of the South Korea national football team

London Generation

Under manager Hong Myung-bo, the South Korean under-23 team participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In the group stage, South Korea qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up of their group by beating Switzerland 2–1 and drawing with Mexico and Gabon in two goalless matches. In the quarter-finals, South Korea met hosts Great Britain. South Korean forward Ji Dong-won scored the opening goal, but British midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored a penalty equaliser. Ramsey once again had a penalty chance four minutes after his penalty goal, but South Korea's over-aged goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong blocked it. ^[2] However, Jung was injured in a collision with Micah Richards in the middle of the second half, and was replaced by Lee Bum-young. Nevertheless, Lee did not concede a goal until the end of extra time, and made a save from the shot of Britain's fifth kicker Daniel Sturridge in the penalty shoot-out. South Korea beat Great Britain 5–4 on penalties and Lee was praised by finishing the game successfully, but the compliments turned to criticisms after the semi-finals. He conceded three goals against Brazil, failing to perform his role. ^[3] After being eliminated by a 3–0 loss to Brazil, South Korea competed with their historical rival Japan for a bronze medal. Their over-aged striker Park Chu-young scored the opening goal with a solo effort against three Japanese defenders, and Koo Ja-cheol scored an additional goal, a decisive one for the victory. South Korea won their first-ever medal in Olympic football after defeating Japan 2–0, and the medalists were exempted from mandatory military service according to the laws of the country. They were called the "London Generation" in South Korea, and most of them played for the senior team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they were eliminated after finishing last in their group. ^[4]

Recent results and fixtures

Main article: South Korea national under-23 football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled. ^[5]

  Win0  Draw0  Loss0  Fixture

2025

South Korea   v   Vietnam

20 March 2025 CFA Team China Cup	South Korea	1–1	Vietnam	Yancheng, China
14:30  UTC+8	Kim Woo-bin 90+5'	Report	Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn 53'	Stadium: Yancheng Sports Center Stadium

China   v   South Korea

23 March 2025 CFA Team China Cup	China	1–0	South Korea	Yancheng, China
14:30  UTC+8	Liu Haofan 85'			Stadium: Yancheng Sports Center Stadium

Uzbekistan   v   South Korea

25 March 2025 CFA Team China Cup	Uzbekistan	1–3	South Korea	Yancheng, China
14:30  UTC+8	Turdimurodov 90+3'		Hwang In-taek 27' Lee Seung-won 73' (pen.) Moon Min-seo 90+6'	Stadium: Yancheng Sports Center Stadium

South Korea   v   Australia

5 June Friendly	South Korea	0–0	Australia	Yongin, South Korea
19:00  UTC+9		Report		Stadium: Yongin Mireu Stadium Attendance: 2,135 Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)

South Korea   v   Australia

9 June Friendly	South Korea	0–2	Australia	Siheung, South Korea
13:00  UTC+9		Report	Garang Kuol 6' Alessandro Lopane 21'	Stadium: Jeongwang Stadium Attendance: 0

South Korea   v   Macau

3 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	South Korea	5–0	Macau	Sidoarjo, Indonesia
15:30  UTC+7	Jeong Jae-sang 14', 49' (pen.) Park Seung-ho 45+4' Kang Seong-jin 58' Seo Jae-min 88'	Report		Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium Attendance: 106

Laos   v   South Korea

6 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	Laos	0–7	South Korea	Sidoarjo, Indonesia
15:30  UTC+7		Report	Jung Ji-hun 44' Lee Kyu-dong 45+4' Cho Sang-hyeok 49', 60', 90+2' Park Seung-ho 69' (pen.) Hwang Do-yun 70'	Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium Attendance: 249

South Korea   v   Indonesia

9 September 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification	South Korea	1–0	Indonesia	Sidoarjo, Indonesia
19:30  UTC+7	Hwang Do-yun 6'	Report		Stadium: Gelora Delta Stadium

Saudi Arabia   v   South Korea

10 October Friendly	Saudi Arabia	4–0	South Korea	Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
16:30  UTC+3	Al Aliwa A. S. 40', 61' Al Julaydan A. 49' Al Subiani F. 64'	Report		Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium

Saudi Arabia   v   South Korea

14 October Friendly	Saudi Arabia	2–0	South Korea	Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
16:30  UTC+3	Al Nemer M. 45' (pen.) Abdullah M. 79' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium

South Korea   v   Uzbekistan

12 November 2025 Panda Cup	South Korea	2–0	Uzbekistan	Chengdu, China
15:30  UTC+8	Jung Seung-bae 56' Kim Myung-jun 88'	Report		Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre

China   v   South Korea

15 November 2025 Panda Cup	China	2–0	South Korea	Chengdu, China
19:35  UTC+8	Behram Abduweli 71', 81'	Report		Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre Attendance: 10,089 Referee: Tang Shunqi (China)

Vietnam   v   South Korea

18 November 2025 Panda Cup	Vietnam	0–1	South Korea	Chengdu, China
15:30  UTC+8		Report	Kim Myung-jun 34'	Stadium: Shuangliu Sports Centre

2026

South Korea   v   Iran

7 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS	South Korea	0–0	Iran	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
14:30  UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Al-Shabab Club Stadium Attendance: 127 Referee: Ammar Mahfoodh (Bahrain)

Lebanon   v   South Korea

10 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS	Lebanon	2–4	South Korea	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
14:30  UTC+3	Shahin 13' El Fadl 48'	Report	Lee Hyun-yong 20' Jeong Jae-sang 56' Kang Seong-jin 71' Kim Tae-won 76'	Stadium: Al-Shabab Club Stadium Attendance: 588 Referee: Abdulla Al-Marri (Qatar)

Uzbekistan   v   South Korea

13 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS	Uzbekistan	2–0	South Korea	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
14:30  UTC+3	Karimov 48' Saidnurullaev 70'	Report		Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium Attendance: 139 Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)

Australia   v   South Korea

17 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup QF	Australia	1–2	South Korea	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
18:30  UTC+3	Jovanovic 51'	Report	Baek Ga-on 21' Shin Min-ha 88'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 172 Referee: Fu Ming (China)

Japan   v   South Korea

20 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup SF	Japan	1–0	South Korea	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
14:30  UTC+3	Koizumi 36'	Report		Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 188 Referee: Abdulla Al-Marri (Qatar)

Vietnam   v   South Korea

23 January 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup 3rd	Vietnam	2–2 (a.e.t.) (7–6 p)	South Korea	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
18:00  UTC+3	Nguyễn Quốc Việt 30' Nguyễn Đình Bắc 71'	Report	Kim Tae-won 69' Shin Min-ha 90+7'	Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Attendance: 270 Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
	Penalties
	Khuất Văn Khang Phạm Minh Phúc Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ Nguyễn Nhật Minh Nguyễn Xuân Bắc Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn		Kim Tae-won Kang Seong-jin Lee Chan-wook Kim Yong-hak Lee Hyun-yong Jang Seok-hwan Bae Hyun-seo

All-time results

Main article: South Korea national under-23 football team results

As of 23 January 2026 ^[6]

Results by decade

Year	Pld	W	D	L	Win %	Matches
1991–1999	93	56	22	15	060.22	Matches
2000–2009	79	52	15	12	065.82	Matches
2010–2019	119	73	29	17	061.34	Matches
2020–present	73	44	11	18	060.27	Matches
Total	364	225	77	62	061.81	—

Coaching staff

Current personnel

As of 12 January 2026 ^[7]

Position	Name
Manager	Lee Min-sung
Coaches	Yeom Ki-hun Lee Kyung-soo
Goalkeeping coach	Yang Yeong-min
Fitness coaches	Jung Hyun-gyu

Manager history

As of 23 January 2026 ^{[6] [8]}

  Caretaker manager

No.	Manager [9]	Year	Pld	W	D	L	Win %	Competition(s)
1	Kim Sam-rak	1991–1992	30	21	6	3	070.00	1992 Summer Olympics group stage
2	Anatoliy Byshovets	1994–1996	43	19	14	10	044.19	1996 Summer Olympics group stage
3	Huh Jung-moo	1998–2000	30	25	2	3	083.33	2000 Summer Olympics group stage
4	Park Hang-seo	2002	9	7	2	0	077.78	2002 Asian Games bronze medal
5	Kim Ho-kon	2003–2004	31	19	6	6	061.29	2004 Summer Olympics quarter-finals
6	Pim Verbeek	2006–2007	15	10	2	3	066.67	2006 Asian Games fourth place
7	Park Sung-hwa	2007–2008	13	7	5	1	053.85	2008 Summer Olympics group stage
8	Hong Myung-bo	2009–2012	32	19	8	5	059.38	2010 Asian Games bronze medal 2012 Summer Olympics bronze medal
—	Kim Tae-young [note 1]	2012	5	4	1	0	080.00	—
—	Chung Jung-yong	2012	2	1	0	1	050.00	—
9	Lee Kwang-jong	2013–2015	22	12	5	5	054.55	2013 AFC U-22 Championship fourth place 2014 Asian Games gold medal
—	Choi Moon-sik [note 2]	2015	3	2	1	0	066.67	—
10	Shin Tae-yong	2015–2016	30	18	9	3	060.00	2016 AFC U-23 Championship runner-up 2016 Summer Olympics quarter-finals
—	Chung Jung-yong	2017	3	2	1	0	066.67	—
11	Kim Bong-gil	2017–2018	6	3	1	2	050.00	2018 AFC U-23 Championship fourth place
12	Kim Hak-bum	2018–2021	33	22	5	6	066.67	2018 Asian Games gold medal 2020 AFC U-23 Championship champion 2020 Summer Olympics quarter-finals
13	Hwang Sun-hong	2021–2024	30	23	3	4	076.67	2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals 2022 Asian Games gold medal 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals
—	Myung Jae-yong	2024	3	2	1	0	066.67	2024 WAFF U-23 Championship champion
—	Choi Jae-young	2024	5	1	1	3	020.00	—
—	Lee Chang-hyun	2025	3	1	1	1	033.33	—
14	Lee Min-sung	2025–present	16	7	3	6	043.75	2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup fourth place
Total			364	225	77	62	061.81	—

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in January 2026. ^{[11] [12]}

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
	1 GK	Hwang Jae-yun	(2003-03-18) 18 March 2003 (age 22)	Suwon FC
	1 GK	Moon Hyun-ho	(2003-05-13) 13 May 2003 (age 22)	Gimcheon Sangmu
	1 GK	Hong Seong-min	(2006-09-29) 29 September 2006 (age 19)	Pohang Steelers
	2 DF	Kang Min-jun	(2003-04-08) 8 April 2003 (age 22)	Pohang Steelers
	2 DF	Lee Hyun-yong	(2003-12-29) 29 December 2003 (age 22)	Suwon FC
	2 DF	Park Jun-seo	(2004-04-26) 26 April 2004 (age 21)	Hwaseong FC
	2 DF	Kim Do-hyun	(2004-05-12) 12 May 2004 (age 21)	Gangwon FC
	2 DF	Jang Seok-hwan	(2004-10-11) 11 October 2004 (age 21)	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
	2 DF	Jo Hyun-tae	(2004-10-27) 27 October 2004 (age 21)	Gangwon FC
	2 DF	Bae Hyun-seo	(2005-02-16) 16 February 2005 (age 20)	Gyeongnam FC
	2 DF	Lee Geon-hee	(2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 20)	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
	2 DF	Shin Min-ha	(2005-09-15) 15 September 2005 (age 20)	Gangwon FC
	3 MF	Lee Chan-ouk	(2003-02-03) 3 February 2003 (age 23)	Gimcheon Sangmu
	3 MF	Kim Han-seo	(2003-02-14) 14 February 2003 (age 22)	Yongin FC
	3 MF	Kim Yong-hak	(2003-05-20) 20 May 2003 (age 22)	Pohang Steelers
	3 MF	Kim Dong-jin	(2003-07-30) 30 July 2003 (age 22)	Pohang Steelers
	4 FW	Kang Seong-jin	(2003-03-26) 26 March 2003 (age 22)	Suwon Samsung Bluewings
	4 FW	Jung Seung-bae	(2003-11-09) 9 November 2003 (age 22)	Suwon FC
	4 FW	Jung Ji-hun	(2004-04-09) 9 April 2004 (age 21)	Gwangju FC
	4 FW	Jeong Jae-sang	(2004-05-25) 25 May 2004 (age 21)	Daegu FC
	4 FW	Kim Tae-won	(2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 20)	Kataller Toyama
	4 FW	Baek Ga-on	(2006-01-23) 23 January 2006 (age 20)	Busan IPark

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to a South Korea under-23 squad within the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Han Tae-hee	(2004-07-05) 5 July 2004 (age 21)			Daegu FC	2025 Panda Cup, November 2025
GK	Kim Dong-hwa	(2003-05-07) 7 May 2003 (age 22)			Gwangju FC	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
GK	Kim Jun-hong	(2003-06-03) 3 June 2003 (age 22)			Suwon Samsung Bluewings	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
GK	Jeon Ji-wan	(2004-05-14) 14 May 2004 (age 21)			Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	v.   Indonesia, 9 September 2025
GK	Lee Seung-hwan	(2003-04-05) 5 April 2003 (age 22)			Pohang Steelers	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
GK	Lim Jun-sub	(2003-08-22) 22 August 2003 (age 22)			FC Seoul	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
DF	Park Seong-hoon	(2003-01-27) 27 January 2003 (age 23)			FC Seoul	2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, January 2026 INJ
DF	Kim Ji-soo	(2004-12-24) 24 December 2004 (age 21)			1. FC Kaiserslautern	2025 Panda Cup, November 2025 INJ
DF	Choi Seok-hyeon	(2003-01-13) 13 January 2003 (age 23)			Ulsan HD	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
DF	Choi Ye-hoon	(2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 22)			Busan IPark	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
DF	Kang Min-woo	(2006-03-02) 2 March 2006 (age 19)			Jong Genk	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
DF	Han Hyeon-seo	(2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 22)			Pohang Steelers	v.   Indonesia, 9 September 2025
DF	Jeong Kang-min	(2004-12-18) 18 December 2004 (age 21)			Jeonnam Dragons	v.   Indonesia, 9 September 2025
DF	Lee Jun-jae	(2003-07-14) 14 July 2003 (age 22)			Suwon Samsung Bluewings	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
DF	Choi Hyun-woung	(2003-10-09) 9 October 2003 (age 22)			Chungnam Asan	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
DF	Park Gyeong-seop	(2004-07-02) 2 July 2004 (age 21)			Incheon United	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
DF	Park Chang-woo	(2003-03-01) 1 March 2003 (age 22)			Cheonan City	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
DF	Lee Won-woo	(2003-03-16) 16 March 2003 (age 22)			Daegu FC	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
DF	Hwang In-taek	(2003-04-01) 1 April 2003 (age 22)			Daegu FC	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
DF	Jo Jin-ho	(2003-07-10) 10 July 2003 (age 22)			Konyaspor	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
DF	Hong Jae-seok	(2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 22)			FC Anyang	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
DF	Cha Jun-young	(2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 21)			Gimhae FC 2008	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
MF	Kang Sang-yoon	(2004-05-31) 31 May 2004 (age 21)			Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, January 2026 INJ
MF	Hwang Do-yun	(2003-04-09) 9 April 2003 (age 22)			FC Seoul	Cheonan training camp, December 2025 INJ
MF	Park Hyun-bin	(2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 22)			Suwon Samsung Bluewings	Cheonan training camp, December 2025 INJ
MF	Seo Jae-min	(2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 22)			Incheon United	Cheonan training camp, December 2025 INJ
MF	Cho Joon-hyun	(2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 (age 22)			Seoul E-Land	Cheonan training camp, December 2025
MF	Choi Woo-jin	(2004-07-18) 18 July 2004 (age 21)			Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Cheonan training camp, December 2025
MF	Baek Ji-ung	(2004-08-29) 29 August 2004 (age 21)			Seoul E-Land	Cheonan training camp, December 2025
MF	Park Seung-ho	(2003-09-01) 1 September 2003 (age 22)			Incheon United	2025 Panda Cup, November 2025
MF	Lee Seung-won	(2003-03-06) 6 March 2003 (age 22)			Gangwon FC	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
MF	Bae Jun-ho	(2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 22)			Stoke City	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025 INJ
MF	Kim Ju-chan	(2004-03-29) 29 March 2004 (age 21)			Gimcheon Sangmu	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
MF	Yang Min-hyeok	(2006-04-16) 16 April 2006 (age 19)			Coventry City	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
MF	Lee Hyun-ju	(2003-02-07) 7 February 2003 (age 22)			Arouca	v.   Saudi Arabia, 10 October 2025 INJ
MF	Kim Min-su	(2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 (age 20)			Andorra [note 3]	v.   Saudi Arabia, 10 October 2025 WD
MF	Chae Hyun-woo	(2004-08-19) 19 August 2004 (age 21)			FC Anyang	v.   Indonesia, 9 September 2025
MF	Lee Jun-gyu	(2003-08-04) 4 August 2003 (age 22)			Gimhae FC 2008	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
MF	Moon Geon-ho	(2004-06-16) 16 June 2004 (age 21)			Hwaseong FC	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
MF	Kim Jeong-hyeon	(2004-06-29) 29 June 2004 (age 21)			Chungnam Asan	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
MF	Chung Ma-ho	(2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 (age 21)			Gimcheon Sangmu	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
MF	Choi Byeong-wook	(2005-04-11) 11 April 2005 (age 20)			Jeju SK	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
MF	Yoon Jae-seok	(2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 22)			Gimcheon Sangmu	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
MF	Moon Min-seo	(2004-02-18) 18 February 2004 (age 21)			Gwangju FC	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
MF	Lee Seung-joon	(2004-08-11) 11 August 2004 (age 21)			Yongin FC	v.   Australia, 9 June 2025
MF	Cho Young-kwang	(2003-03-28) 28 March 2003 (age 22)			Gimhae FC 2008	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
MF	Han Jong-mu	(2003-05-02) 2 May 2003 (age 22)			Daegu FC	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
MF	Son Seung-beom	(2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 21)			Pohang Steelers	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
FW	Kim Myung-jun	(2006-03-21) 21 March 2006 (age 19)			Jong Genk	2025 Panda Cup, November 2025
FW	Cho Sang-hyeok	(2004-01-23) 23 January 2004 (age 22)			Pohang Steelers	v.   Saudi Arabia, 14 October 2025
FW	Lee Kyu-dong	(2004-01-24) 24 January 2004 (age 22)			Yongin FC	v.   Indonesia, 9 September 2025
FW	Bae Seo-joon	(2003-12-11) 11 December 2003 (age 22)			Seoul E-Land	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
FW	Kim Jun-ha	(2005-12-02) 2 December 2005 (age 20)			Jeju SK	Gyeongju training camp, June-July 2025
FW	Kim Woo-bin	(2003-03-08) 8 March 2003 (age 22)			Seoul E-Land	v.   Uzbekistan, 25 March 2025
INJ Withdrew due to injury. WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue. A Call up to A team. OA Overage player.

Overage players

Football at the Summer Olympics and the Asian Games have required that under-23 players enter the competitions, but they have allowed three overage players can be included in one squad. These three players are called the "Wild cards" in South Korea. ^[13] According to South Korean laws, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists can be exempted from the military service, and so top-level players also compete for wild cards. ^[14]

Olympics	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3
1996	Lee Lim-saeng (DF) [a] Lee Kyung-chun (DF)	Ha Seok-ju (MF)	Hwang Sun-hong (FW)
2000	Kang Chul (DF)	Kim Sang-sik (DF)	Kim Do-hoon (FW)
2004	Yoo Sang-chul (MF)	Chung Kyung-ho (FW)	—
2008	Kim Dong-jin (DF)	Kim Jung-woo (MF)	—
2012	Jung Sung-ryong (GK)	Kim Chang-soo (DF)	Park Chu-young (FW)
2016	Jang Hyun-soo (DF)	Suk Hyun-jun (FW)	Son Heung-min (FW)
2020	Park Ji-soo (DF)	Kwon Chang-hoon (MF)	Hwang Ui-jo (FW)
Asian Games	Player 1	Player 2	Player 3
2002	Lee Woon-jae (GK)	Kim Young-chul (DF)	Lee Young-pyo (DF)
2006	Kim Dong-jin (DF)	Kim Do-heon (MF)	Lee Chun-soo (FW)
2010	Kim Jung-woo (MF)	Park Chu-young (FW)	—
2014	Kim Seung-gyu (GK)	Park Joo-ho (DF)	Kim Shin-wook (FW)
2018	Jo Hyeon-woo (GK)	Son Heung-min (FW)	Hwang Ui-jo (FW)
2022	Park Jin-seob (DF)	Seol Young-woo (DF)	Paik Seung-ho (MF)

1. Lee Lim-saeng was replaced by reserve player Lee Kyung-chun after the second match due to his injury.

Records

Statistics below are from matches which the KFA consider as official including non-international matches (against clubs, regional teams, and other KFA teams).

Most appearances

As of 13 August 2016

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career	Ref.
1	Lee Ki-hyung	48	10	1994–1996	[15]
2	Choi Sung-yong	44	0	1994–1996	[16]
3	Kim Do-heon	43	3	2002–2006	[17]
	Kim Dong-jin	43	6	2002–2008	[18]
5	Choi Yong-soo	41	25	1994–1996	[19]
6	Choi Sung-kuk	40	3	2001–2006	[20]
	Kim Jung-woo	40	3	2003–2010	[21]
8	Choi Tae-uk	39	14	2000–2004	[22]
9	Lee Woo-young	37	9	1994–1996	[23]
	Seo Dong-myung	37	0	1994–1996	[24]

Top goalscorers

As of 7 October 2023

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career	Ref.
1	Choi Yong-soo	25	41	0.61	1994–1996	[19]
2	Lee Dong-gook	20	29	0.69	1999–2002	[25]
3	Hwang Ui-jo	18	28	0.64	2012–2021	[26]
4	Moon Chang-jin	16	31	0.52	2013–2016	[27]
5	Cho Young-wook	14	33	0.42	2017–2023	[28]
	Choi Tae-uk	14	39	0.36	2000–2004	[22]
7	Park Chu-young	12	30	0.4	2006–2012	[29]
8	Jeong Woo-yeong	11	20	0.55	2019–2023	[30]
	Kwon Chang-hoon	11	25	0.44	2015–2021	[31]
	Cho Jae-jin	11	28	0.39	2003–2004	[32]
	Lee Chun-soo	11	28	0.39	1999–2006	[33]

Competitive record

  Champions0  Runners-up0  Third place0  Tournament played on home soil

Summer Olympics

Football at the Summer Olympics was a senior tournament until 1988.

Summer Olympics record										Qualification record [34]
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1948–1988	Entered with the senior team									Entered with the senior team
1992	Group stage	3	0	3	0	2	2	Squad		13	10	2	1	36	4
1996	Group stage	3	1	1	1	2	2	Squad		9	8	1	0	25	5
2000	Group stage	3	2	0	1	2	3	Squad		7	6	1	0	24	2
2004	Quarter-finals	4	1	2	1	8	8	Squad		8	8	0	0	12	0
2008	Group stage	3	1	1	1	2	4	Squad		12	8	3	1	14	4
2012	Bronze medalists	6	2	3	1	5	5	Squad		8	4	4	0	12	4
2016	Quarter-finals	4	2	1	1	12	4	Squad		Via AFC U-23 Asian Cup
2020	Quarter-finals	4	2	0	2	13	7	Squad
2024	Did not qualify
Total	Bronze medalists	30	11	11	8	46	35	8/9		57	44	11	2	123	19

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

AFC U-23 Asian Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2013	Fourth place	6	3	2	1	8	3	Squad		5	4	1	0	23	3
2016	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	14	6	Squad		3	3	0	0	12	0
2018	Fourth place	6	3	1	2	8	9	Squad		3	2	1	0	12	1
2020	Champions	6	6	0	0	10	3	Squad		3	2	1	0	16	3
2022	Quarter-finals	4	2	1	1	6	5	Squad		3	3	0	0	14	1
2024	Quarter-finals	4	3	1	0	6	2	Squad		2	2	0	0	4	0
2026	Fourth place	6	2	2	2	8	8	Squad		3	3	0	0	13	0
Total	1 title	38	23	8	7	60	36	7/7		22	19	3	0	94	8

Asian Games

Football at the Asian Games was a senior tournament until 1998.

Asian Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
1951–1998	Entered with the senior team
2002	Bronze medalists	6	5	1	0	17	2	Squad
2006	Fourth place	6	4	0	2	9	2	Squad
2010	Bronze medalists	7	5	0	2	17	6	Squad
2014	Gold medalists	7	7	0	0	13	0	Squad
2018	Gold medalists	7	6	0	1	19	7	Squad
2022	Gold medalists	7	7	0	0	27	3	Squad
2026	To be determined
2030
2034
Total	3 titles	40	34	1	5	102	20	6/6

Other competitions

Competition	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2024 WAFF U-23 Championship	Champions	3	2	1	0	4	2	Squad

Head-to-head record

The following table shows South Korea under-23s' head-to-head record against each foreign national team, as of 23 January 2026. ^[6]

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Algeria	2	2	0	0	5	0	+5	100.00
Argentina	1	0	1	0	2	2	+0	000.00
Australia	19	12	4	3	30	16	+14	063.16
Austria	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100.00
Bahrain	10	9	1	0	19	1	+18	090.00
Bangladesh	3	3	0	0	10	0	+10	100.00
Brazil	4	0	0	4	1	11	−10	000.00
Brunei	1	1	0	0	5	0	+5	100.00
Bulgaria	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4	100.00
Cambodia	2	2	0	0	7	1	+6	100.00
Cameroon	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Canada	4	2	2	0	8	4	+4	050.00
Chile	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
China	21	14	3	4	30	12	+18	066.67
Chinese Taipei	3	3	0	0	23	1	+22	100.00
Colombia	3	0	2	1	4	5	−1	000.00
Colombia U20	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
Costa Rica	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	100.00
Czech Republic	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	100.00
Denmark	4	0	2	2	3	6	−3	000.00
Denmark XI	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00
Timor-Leste	3	2	1	0	9	0	+9	066.67
Egypt	2	1	1	0	2	0	+2	050.00
England	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Estonia	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4	100.00
Fiji	1	1	0	0	8	0	+8	100.00
France	5	1	1	3	5	5	+0	020.00
Gabon	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00
Germany	1	0	1	0	3	3	+0	000.00
Ghana	5	4	1	0	9	2	+7	080.00
Great Britain	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Greece	1	0	1	0	2	2	+0	000.00
Guatemala	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Honduras	5	3	1	1	11	3	+8	060.00
Honduras U20	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00
Hong Kong	5	5	0	0	18	0	+18	100.00
Indonesia	9	8	1	0	27	5	+22	088.89
Indonesia U20	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Iran	10	6	2	2	14	8	+6	060.00
Iraq	7	3	2	2	8	7	+1	042.86
Iraq A	1	0	1	0	2	2	+0	000.00
Italy	2	0	0	2	1	5	−4	000.00
Ivory Coast	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Ivory Coast U20	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Japan	19	9	4	6	20	21	−1	047.37
Japan U20	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Japan Universiade	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Jordan	7	4	3	0	12	4	+8	057.14
Kazakhstan	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Kuwait	3	2	1	0	12	2	+10	066.67
Kuwait A	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
Kyrgyzstan	3	3	0	0	7	1	+6	100.00
Laos	2	2	0	0	9	0	+9	100.00
Lebanon	1	1	0	0	4	2	+2	100.00
Lesotho	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00
Macau	2	2	0	0	15	0	+15	100.00
Malaysia	11	8	1	2	23	7	+16	072.73
Malaysia A	2	1	0	1	4	2	+2	050.00
Maldives	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100.00
Mali	1	0	1	0	3	3	+0	000.00
Mexico	10	3	5	2	9	10	−1	030.00
Morocco	6	1	2	3	3	7	−4	016.67
Myanmar	3	2	1	0	6	0	+6	066.67
Namibia	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00
Netherlands	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
New Zealand	4	3	0	1	9	5	+4	075.00
Nigeria	4	4	0	0	14	2	+12	100.00
North Korea	4	2	1	1	4	1	+3	050.00
Norway	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00
Norway A	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Oman	6	6	0	0	18	3	+15	100.00
Palestine	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Paraguay	2	0	1	1	2	3	−1	000.00
Paraguay XI	2	1	1	0	6	1	+5	050.00
Philippines	4	4	0	0	30	0	+30	100.00
Qatar	8	1	4	3	4	6	−2	012.50
Qatar U20	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Romania	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100.00
Russia	4	2	1	1	6	3	+3	050.00
Saudi Arabia	14	8	3	3	15	11	+4	057.14
Scotland	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00
Senegal	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Singapore	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4	100.00
South Africa	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Spain	2	0	0	2	2	6	−4	000.00
Sri Lanka	1	1	0	0	5	0	+5	100.00
Sweden	3	1	1	1	4	6	−2	033.33
Switzerland	3	3	0	0	6	2	+4	100.00
Syria	5	3	2	0	6	2	+4	060.00
Thailand	7	7	0	0	15	1	+14	100.00
Thailand A	2	1	1	0	3	1	+2	050.00
Trinidad and Tobago	2	1	1	0	2	0	+2	050.00
Tunisia	2	2	0	0	7	1	+6	100.00
United Arab Emirates	11	8	1	2	19	6	+13	072.73
United States	5	3	1	1	7	5	+2	060.00
Uzbekistan	18	13	2	3	35	20	+15	072.22
Vietnam	10	6	4	0	16	7	+9	060.00
Yemen	3	2	0	1	6	1	+5	066.67
Total	364	225	77	62	706	275	+431	061.81

Honours

Intercontinental

• Summer Olympics

Bronze medalists: 2012

Continental

• AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Champions: 2020

Runners-up: 2016

• Asian Games

Gold medalists: 2014, 2018, 2022

Bronze medalists: 2002, 2010

Regional

• WAFF U-23 Championship

Champions: 2024

Friendly competitions

• Dunhill Cup Vietnam: 1999
• Four Nations Tournament: 2000 (Australia), 2003 (South Africa) ^{[35] [36]}
• Qatar International Friendship Tournament: 2005, 2023 ^{[37] [38]}
• King's Cup: 2012, 2015
• Panda Cup: 2025

Awards

• AFC National Team of the Year: 2012
• AFC U-23 Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 2013, 2026

See also

• Football in South Korea
• Korea Football Association
• South Korea national football team
• South Korea national football B team
• South Korea national under-20 football team
• South Korea national under-17 football team
• South Korea women's national football team

Notes

1. Managed separate under-21 team in the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship qualification.
2. Managed under-22 team as a caretaker in the 2015 King's Cup because former manager Lee Kwang-jong urgently resigned from the team due to his acute leukemia. ^[10]
3. Andorra is a Andorra la Vella club playing in the Spanish football league system.

References

1. Yoon, Hyung-jin (29 April 2006). "South Korea - International Results U-23 (Olympic) Team [South Korea (5) – Indonesia (0)]". RDFC. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
2. "Olympics: Team GB out after Daniel Sturridge's penalty shootout miss". The Guardian . 4 August 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
3. 브라질전 대패 후 정성룡이 이범영에게 했던 말 (in Korean). JoyNews24. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
4. 한국축구 '런던 세대', 역사 속으로 사라지나 [The "London Generation" of Korean football is disappearing into history]. Naver (in Korean). OhmyNews. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
5. "Korea Republic U23 – Korea Republic U23 – Results and fixtures – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
6. "Men's U-23 results" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
7. 아시안게임·올림픽 대표팀 감독으로 이민성 감독 선임 (in Korean). KFA. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
8. "South Korea U-23 Matches 1991-2004". "Details 1991-1999". RSSSF . 30 April 2006. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
9. 역대 대표팀 감독 - 남자 U-23 대표팀 (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
10. 한국 22세이하 대표팀 투병 이광종 감독 위해 킹스컵 우승 (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
11. 명단 발표 [List announcement] (in Korean). Korea Football Association. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
12. 선수 명단 [Squad List] (in Korean). Korea Football Association. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
13. 이영호 (25 January 2020). 김학범의 도쿄올림픽 와일드카드 우선순위는?…'척추 라인'. 연합뉴스 (in Korean). YTN . Retrieved 4 October 2020.
14. "South Korean Olympic medallists eligible for military exemption". Inside the Games. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
15. "Lee Ki-hyung" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
16. "Choi Sung-yong" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
17. "Kim Do-heon" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
18. "Kim Dong-jin" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
19. "Choi Yong-soo" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
20. "Choi Sung-kuk" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
21. "Kim Jung-woo" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
22. "Choi Tae-uk" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
23. "Lee Woo-young" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
24. "Seo Dong-myung" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
25. "Lee Dong-gook" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
26. "Hwang Ui-jo" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
27. "Moon Chang-jin" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
28. "Cho Young-wook" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
29. "Park Chu-young" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
30. "Jeong Woo-yeong" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
31. "Kwon Chang-hoon" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
32. "Cho Jae-jin" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
33. "Lee Chun-soo" (in Korean). KFA. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
34. "Football Tournament of the Olympic Games - Overview". RSSSF . 12 February 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
35. "Australia - Four Nations U-23 Tournament 2000". RSSSF . 15 January 2000. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
36. "South Africa - Four Nations U-23 Tournament 2003". RSSSF . 1 January 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
37. "Olympic Teams Tournament (Qatar)". RSSSF . 6 April 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
38. ‘홍시후 멀티골’ 황선홍호, UAE 3-0 꺾고 도하컵 우승 (in Korean). KFA. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.

External links

• Official website (in English)