# Who is the best player in South Korea national football team history?

> Rank the greatest players in South Korean football history — from Cha Bum-kun's Bundesliga dominance and the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists to Son Heung-min's Premier League golden boot.

*By YPB Team · Published May 23, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-player-in-south-korea-national-football-team-history*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Son Heung-min**
   South Korea's greatest modern player and Tottenham Hotspur legend, the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot and the country's all-time top scorer.
2. **Park Ji-sung**
   Tenacious and dynamic midfielder who became a hero at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles and a Champions League in a glittering career.
3. **Hong Myung-bo**
   Legendary libero and sweeper who captained South Korea during their magical 2002 World Cup semi-final run, widely considered the greatest Korean defender in history.
4. **Lee Woon-jae**
   South Korea's greatest goalkeeper, famous for saving multiple penalty shoot-out kicks during the historic 2002 World Cup, including one against Spain in the quarter-finals.
5. **Ki Sung-yueng**
   Tactically intelligent captain who earned over 110 caps across a long career spanning Celtic, Swansea and Newcastle, leading his country with distinction at three World Cups.
6. **Lee Chun-soo**
   Electrifying winger dubbed 'The Maestro' who was South Korea's most creative attacker during the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, known for his speed and skill.
7. **Hwang Sun-hong**
   Prolific and clinical striker who is South Korea's all-time top scorer in competitive matches, a reliable poacher with a distinguished career spanning three decades.
8. **Seol Ki-hyeon**
   Versatile attacker who scored crucial goals for South Korea at the 2002 World Cup including one against Portugal and had a notable stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
9. **Hwang Hee-chan**
   Explosive forward who scored a famous last-minute winner for South Korea against Portugal to knock them into the 2022 World Cup knockout stages, a star at Wolverhampton.
10. **Lee Young-pyo**
   Powerful and attacking left back who was a key figure in South Korea's 2002 World Cup run, later playing for Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven.

Tags: sports, football, players, world cup