South Korea national football team facts for kids
This page is about men's team. For women's team, see South Korea women's national football team.
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| Nickname(s) | Taegeuk Warriors (태극전사) Tigers of Asia (아시아의 호랑이) |
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| Association | Korea Football Association (KFA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sub-confederation | EAFF (East Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Hwang Sun-hong (caretaker) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captain | Son Heung-min | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most caps | Cha Bum-kun Hong Myung-bo (136) |
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| Top scorer | Cha Bum-kun (58) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA code | KOR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | 38  15 (7 February 2019) |
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| Highest | 17 (December 1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest | 69 (November 2014 – January 2015) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 South Korea 5–3 Mexico  (London, England; 2 August 1948) |
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| Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 South Korea 16–0 Nepal  (Incheon, South Korea; 29 September 2003) |
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| Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Korea 0–12 Sweden  (London, England; 5 August 1948) |
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| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 11 (first in 1954) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Fourth place (2002) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asian Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 15 (first in 1956) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Champions (1956, 1960) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EAFF Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 9 (first in 2003) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Champions (2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederations Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Group stage (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| South Korea national football team | |
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| Hangul | 대한민국 축구 국가대표팀 |
| Hanja | 大韓民國 蹴球 國家代表팀 |
| Revised Romanization | Daehan Min'guk Chukgu Gukga Daepyo Tim |
| McCune–Reischauer | Taehan Min'guk Ch'ukku Kukka Taep'yo T'im |
The South Korea national football team (Korean: 대한민국 축구 국가대표팀; recognized as Korea Republic by FIFA) represents South Korea in men's international football and is governed by the Korea Football Association. South Korea has emerged as a major football power in Asia since the 1980s, having participated in ten consecutive and eleven overall FIFA World Cup tournaments, the most for any Asian country. Despite initially going through five World Cup tournaments without winning a match, South Korea became the first (and so far only) Asian team to reach the semi-finals when they co-hosted the 2002 tournament with Japan. South Korea also won two AFC Asian Cup titles, and finished as runners-up on four occasions. Furthermore, the team won three gold medals and three silver medals at the senior Asian Games.
The team is commonly nicknamed the "Reds" by both fans and the media due to the color of their primary kit. The national team's supporting group is officially referred to as the Red Devils.
Contents
History
Early history
History of the South Korea national football team
First World Cup team (1954)
History of the South Korea national football team
Foundation of Yangzee (1967)
History of the South Korea national football team
Second World Cup team (1986)
History of the South Korea national football team
Tragedy of Marseille (1998)
History of the South Korea national football team
Hiddink's magic (2002)
History of the South Korea national football team
Captain Park era (2008)
History of the South Korea national football team
Proactive football (2022)
History of the South Korea national football team
Team image
Nicknames
The South Korea national football team has been known or nicknamed as the Taegeuk Warriors (Hangul: 태극전사) and the Tigers of Asia (Hangul: 아시아의 호랑이).
Kits and crest
Red is the traditional shirt color of the South Korean national team, who are consequently nicknamed the "Reds", while the fans are called the "Red Devils". The away shirt has varied between white and blue. In 1994, the home shirt shifted from red to white, but in October 1995, red returned as home color, paired with black shorts.
South Korea used to wear the South Korean flag as their shirt badge until 2001, when their tiger crest was unveiled. On 5 February 2020, the KFA announced a new, more simplistic logo. The emblem retained the tiger, albeit in a more minimalist design, enclosed in a rectangular frame. Red, blue and white, South Korea's traditional colors, have been maintained in the new logo.
Kit suppliers
| Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adidas, Asics, Kolon Sports, Prospecs, Weekend |
1977–1985 | South Korea didn't have an exclusive kit sponsor at that time, though they contracted with Adidas as their first official kit sponsor. |
| Weekend | 1985–1988 | Sportswear brand of Samsung C&T Corporation |
| Rapido | 1988–1995 | Weekend was renamed "Rapido" in January 1988. |
| Nike | 1996–present | Contracted at the end of 1995, and sponsored since 1 January 1996. |
Kit deals
| Kit supplier | Period | Contract date | Contract duration | Total | Annual | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | 1996–present |
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1996–1997 | $3 million | $1.5 million | |
| 16 December 1997 | 1998–2002 | $38 million | $7.6 million | |||
| 9 January 2003 | 2003–2007 | $50 million | $10.0 million | |||
| 23 October 2007 | 2008–2011 | $49 million | $12.3 million | |||
| 13 January 2012 | 2012–2019 | $120 million | $15.0 million | |||
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2020–2031 | $204 million | $17.0 million |
Home stadium
The South Korea national team played their first home match at the Dongdaemun Stadium on 21 April 1956. The match was a qualifier for the 1956 AFC Asian Cup against the Philippines. They currently play their home matches at several stadiums, which are also used by K League clubs.
Rivalries
South Korea's biggest rival is Japan. This rivalry is an extension of a competitive rivalry between the two nations that goes beyond football, and some matches in the past have been tainted with controversy. South Korea leads the all-time series with 42 wins, 23 draws and 16 losses.
A rivalry has also developed with Iran. The two nations have played against each other officially since 1958, totalling 33 matches as of March 2022, including eleven World Cup qualifiers. South Korea and Iran were among the strongest Asian national teams during the 1960s and 1970s. Although the teams only had one chance to play against each other in the final match of the AFC Asian Cup, in 1972, they have faced each other five consecutive times in the quarter-finals between 1996 and 2011, with each team recording two wins, two losses, and a draw. Iran leads the all-time series with 13 wins, 10 draws and 10 losses.
Another major rival is Australia. In head-to-head matches, both teams achieved 9 wins in 29 encounters, and 11 matches ended in a draw. The two countries have also met in four matches at the Asian Cup, including the 2015 final, where Australia won 2–1 after extra time for their first ever Asian championship.
South Korea has had great success against China, with China failing to defeat them in 28 competitive matches before finally winning a game in 2010. They also possess a strong rivalry with North Korea, though matches are infrequent due to diplomatic and security reasons.
Supporters
The official supporter group of the national team, the Red Devils, were founded in 1995. Known for their passionate support, they are commonly referred to as the 12th man. Their most common chant is "Dae~ Han-Min-Guk" (Hangul: 대~한민국, lit. Republic of Korea or Great Korea), followed by five claps. The FIFA Fan Fest was introduced at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea.
Recent results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
| Friendly 16 June | South Korea  |
0–1 |  Peru |
Busan, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/16/world/friendlies/korea-republic/peru/4068083/ |
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Stadium: Busan Asiad Main Stadium Attendance: 52,443 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia) |
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| Friendly 20 June | South Korea |
1–1 |  El Salvador |
Daejeon, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/20/world/friendlies/korea-republic/el-salvador/4068084/ |
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Stadium: Daejeon World Cup Stadium Attendance: 39,823 Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore) |
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| Friendly 7 September | Wales  |
0–0 | South Korea |
Cardiff, Wales | ||
| 19:45 UTC+1 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/07/world/friendlies/wales/korea-republic/4076386/ | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Attendance: 13,668 Referee: Willie Collum (Scotland) |
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| Friendly 12 September | Saudi Arabia  |
0–1 | South Korea |
Newcastle upon Tyne, England | ||
| 17:30 UTC+1 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/12/world/friendlies/saudi-arabia/korea-republic/4220841/ |
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Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Andrew Madley (England) |
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| Friendly 13 October | South Korea |
4–0 |  Tunisia |
Seoul, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/13/world/friendlies/korea-republic/tunisia/4220842/ | Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 59,018 Referee: Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia) |
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| Friendly 17 October | South Korea |
6–0 |  Vietnam |
Suwon, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/17/world/friendlies/korea-republic/vietnam/4251173/ | Stadium: Suwon World Cup Stadium Attendance: 42,175 Referee: Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia) |
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| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November | South Korea |
5–0 |  Singapore |
Seoul, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/16/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/singapore/4190929/ | Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 64,381 Referee: Bijan Heydari (Iran) |
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| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 November | China  |
0–3 | South Korea |
Shenzhen, China | ||
| 20:00 UTC+8 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/21/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/china-pr/korea-republic/4190924/ |
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Stadium: Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Attendance: 39,969 Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar) |
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2024
| Friendly 6 January | South Korea |
1–0 |  Iraq |
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | ||
| 17:00 UTC+4 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/06/world/friendlies/iraq/korea-republic/4294194/ | Stadium: New York University Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates) |
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 15 January | South Korea |
3–1 |  Bahrain |
Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363548 |
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Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 8,388 Referee: Ma Ning (China) |
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 20 January | Jordan  |
2–2 | South Korea |
Doha, Qatar | ||
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363549 |
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Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium Attendance: 36,627 Referee: Salman Falahi (Qatar) |
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group E 25 January | South Korea |
3–3 |  Malaysia |
Al Wakrah, Qatar | ||
| 14:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363551 |
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Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 30,117 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) |
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup round of 16 30 January | Saudi Arabia |
1–1 (2–4 pen)
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South Korea |
Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
| 19:00 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363591 |
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Stadium: Education City Stadium Attendance: 42,389 Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan) |
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| Penalties | ||||||
*Kanno 
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* Son Heung-min
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals 2 February | Australia  |
1–2 | South Korea |
Al Wakrah, Qatar | ||
| 18:30 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363567 |
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Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 39,632 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman) |
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| 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-finals 6 February | Jordan |
2–0 | South Korea |
Al Rayyan, Qatar | ||
| 18:00 UTC+3 |
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/matches/afc-asian-cup/2023/2363570 | Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Attendance: 42,850 Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) |
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| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 21 March | South Korea |
1–1 |  Thailand |
Seoul, South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 |
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https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/21/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/thailand/4190925/ |
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Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium Attendance: 64,912 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) |
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| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 26 March | Thailand |
0–3 | South Korea |
Bangkok, Thailand | ||
| 19:30 UTC+7 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/thailand/korea-republic/4190926/ |
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Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium Attendance: 45,458 Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan) |
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| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 6 June | Singapore |
v | South Korea |
Singapore | ||
| https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/06/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/singapore/korea-republic/4190933/ | ||||||
| 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 11 June | South Korea |
v | China |
South Korea | ||
| 20:00 UTC+9 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/11/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/korea-republic/china-pr/4190928/ | |||||
All-time results
| Year | GP | W | D | L | Win % | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948–1959 | 48 | 28 | 9 | 11 | 58.33 | Matches |
| 1960–1969 | 90 | 52 | 15 | 23 | 57.78 | Matches |
| 1970–1979 | 186 | 117 | 44 | 25 | 62.90 | Matches |
| 1980–1989 | 129 | 75 | 29 | 25 | 58.14 | Matches |
| 1990–1999 | 151 | 70 | 45 | 36 | 46.36 | Matches |
| 2000–2009 | 171 | 76 | 56 | 39 | 44.44 | Matches |
| 2010–2019 | 154 | 81 | 31 | 42 | 52.60 | Matches |
| 2020–present | 51 | 29 | 12 | 10 | 56.86 | Matches |
| Total | 980 | 528 | 241 | 211 | 53.88 | — |
Coaching staff
Guus Hiddink is widely regarded as the most successful manager in South Korean football history.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Caretaker manager | Hwang Sun-hong |
| Assistant manager |  Michael Kim |
| Coach | Cho Yong-hyung |
| Jung Jo-gook |
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| Goalkeeping coach | Kim Il-jin |
| Fitness coach | Lee Jae-hong |
| Technical advisor | Lee Young-jin |
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Thailand on 21 and 26 March 2024.
Caps and goals updated as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Thailand.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Song Bum-keun | 15 October 1997 | 1 | 0 |  Shonan Bellmare |
| 12 | GK | Lee Chang-geun | 30 August 1993 | 1 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen |
| 21 | GK | Jo Hyeon-woo | 25 September 1991 | 31 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
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| 2 | DF | Lee Myung-jae | 4 November 1993 | 1 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
| 3 | DF | Kim Jin-su | 13 June 1992 | 72 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| 4 | DF | Kim Min-jae | 15 November 1996 | 63 | 4 |  Bayern Munich |
| 15 | DF | Kim Moon-hwan | 1 August 1995 | 27 | 0 |  Al-Duhail |
| 19 | DF | Kim Young-gwon | 27 February 1990 | 111 | 7 | Ulsan HD |
| 20 | DF | Kwon Kyung-won | 31 January 1992 | 30 | 2 | Suwon FC |
| 22 | DF | Seol Young-woo | 5 December 1998 | 16 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
| 23 | DF | Cho Yu-min | 17 November 1996 | 5 | 0 |  Sharjah |
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| 5 | MF | Park Jin-seop | 23 October 1995 | 6 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| 6 | MF | Hwang In-beom | 20 September 1996 | 58 | 6 |  Red Star Belgrade |
| 7 | MF | Son Heung-min (captain) | 8 July 1992 | 125 | 46 |  Tottenham Hotspur |
| 8 | MF | Paik Seung-ho | 17 March 1997 | 17 | 3 | Birmingham City |
| 10 | MF | Lee Jae-sung | 10 August 1992 | 86 | 11 | Mainz 05 |
| 11 | MF | Song Min-kyu | 12 September 1999 | 14 | 1 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
| 13 | MF | Hong Hyun-seok | 16 June 1999 | 11 | 0 |  Gent |
| 14 | MF | Jeong Ho-yeon | 28 September 2000 | 1 | 0 | Gwangju FC |
| 17 | MF | Jeong Woo-yeong | 20 September 1999 | 22 | 4 | VfB Stuttgart |
| 18 | MF | Lee Kang-in | 19 February 2001 | 27 | 7 |  Paris Saint-Germain |
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| 9 | FW | Cho Gue-sung | 25 January 1998 | 39 | 9 |  Midtjylland |
| 16 | FW | Joo Min-kyu | 13 April 1990 | 2 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the South Korea squad within the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Kim Seung-gyu | 30 September 1990 | 81 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
2023 AFC Asian Cup INJ |
| GK | Kim Jun-hong | 3 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
v. Vietnam, 17 October 2023 |
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| DF | Kim Tae-hwan | 24 July 1989 | 31 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| DF | Jung Seung-hyun | 3 April 1994 | 25 | 1 | Al-Wasl |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| DF | Lee Ki-je | 9 July 1991 | 14 | 0 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| DF | Kim Ju-sung | 12 December 2000 | 2 | 0 | FC Seoul |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| DF | Kim Ji-soo | 24 December 2004 | 0 | 0 | Brentford B |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| DF | Kang Sang-woo | 7 October 1993 | 3 | 0 | FC Seoul |
v. Saudi Arabia, 12 September 2023 |
| DF | Ahn Hyeon-beom | 21 December 1994 | 1 | 0 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
v. Saudi Arabia, 12 September 2023 |
| DF | Park Ji-soo | 13 June 1994 | 16 | 0 | Wuhan Three Towns |
v. El Salvador, 20 June 2023 |
| DF | Park Kyu-hyun | 14 April 2001 | 2 | 0 | Dynamo Dresden |
v. El Salvador, 20 June 2023 |
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| MF | Um Won-sang | 6 January 1999 | 7 | 0 | Ulsan HD |
v. Thailand, 21 March 2024 INJ |
| MF | Hwang Hee-chan | 26 January 1996 | 64 | 13 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| MF | Moon Seon-min | 9 June 1992 | 16 | 2 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| MF | Park Yong-woo | 10 September 1993 | 14 | 0 | Al-Ain |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| MF | Lee Soon-min | 22 May 1994 | 4 | 0 | Daejeon Hana Citizen |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| MF | Yang Hyun-jun | 25 May 2002 | 3 | 0 |  Celtic |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| MF | Lee Dong-gyeong | 20 September 1997 | 8 | 1 | Ulsan HD |
v. Saudi Arabia, 12 September 2023 |
| MF | Na Sang-ho | 12 August 1996 | 28 | 2 | Machida Zelvia |
v. El Salvador, 20 June 2023 |
| MF | Won Du-jae | 18 November 1997 | 7 | 0 | Gimcheon Sangmu |
v. El Salvador, 20 June 2023 |
| MF | Son Jun-ho | 12 May 1992 | 20 | 0 | Unattached | v. Peru, 16 June 2023 WD |
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| FW | Oh Hyeon-gyu | 12 April 2001 | 11 | 0 | Celtic |
2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| FW | Hwang Ui-jo | 28 August 1992 | 62 | 19 |  Alanyaspor |
v. China, 21 November 2023 |
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Notable former players
The following players were inducted into the KFA Hall of Fame, or were selected for the Korean Best XI of All Time in one or more surveys.
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Goalkeepers
- Hong Deok-young (1948–1954)
- Lee Se-yeon (1966–1973)
- Lee Woon-jae (1994–2010)
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Defenders
- Kim Jung-nam (1964–1973)
- Kim Ho (1966–1972)
- Hong Myung-bo (1990–2002)
- Lee Young-pyo (1999–2011)
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Midfielders
- Kim Yong-sik (1948–1950)
- Huh Jung-moo (1974–1986)
- Lee Young-moo (1975–1981)
- Cho Kwang-rae (1977–1986)
- Park Chang-sun (1979–1986)
- Park Ji-sung (2000–2011)
-
Forwards
- Lee Hoe-taik (1966–1977)
- Cha Bum-kun (1972–1986)
- Choi Soon-ho (1980–1991)
- Kim Joo-sung (1985–1996)
Individual records
Players in bold are still active with South Korea.
Most appearances
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha Bum-kun | 136 | 58 | 1972–1986 |
| Hong Myung-bo | 136 | 10 | 1990–2002 | |
| 3 | Lee Woon-jae | 133 | 0 | 1994–2010 |
| 4 | Lee Young-pyo | 127 | 5 | 1999–2011 |
| 5 | Son Heung-min | 125 | 46 | 2010–present |
| 6 | Kim Ho-kon | 124 | 5 | 1971–1979 |
| 7 | Yoo Sang-chul | 122 | 18 | 1994–2005 |
| 8 | Cho Young-jeung | 113 | 1 | 1975–1986 |
| 9 | Kim Young-gwon | 111 | 7 | 2010–present |
| 10 | Ki Sung-yueng | 110 | 10 | 2008–2019 |
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha Bum-kun | 58 | 136 | 0.43 | 1972–1986 |
| 2 | Hwang Sun-hong | 50 | 103 | 0.49 | 1988–2002 |
| 3 | Son Heung-min | 46 | 125 | 0.37 | 2010–present |
| 4 | Park Lee-chun | 36 | 89 | 0.4 | 1969–1974 |
| 5 | Kim Jae-han | 33 | 57 | 0.58 | 1972–1979 |
| Lee Dong-gook | 33 | 105 | 0.31 | 1998–2017 | |
| 7 | Choi Soon-ho | 30 | 103 | 0.29 | 1980–1991 |
| 8 | Kim Do-hoon | 29 | 72 | 0.4 | 1994–2003 |
| Huh Jung-moo | 29 | 84 | 0.35 | 1974–1986 | |
| 10 | Choi Yong-soo | 27 | 67 | 0.4 | 1995–2003 |
| Lee Tae-ho | 27 | 72 | 0.38 | 1980–1991 | |
| Kim Jin-kook | 27 | 94 | 0.29 | 1972–1978 |
Competitive record
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played on home soil
FIFA World Cup
South Korea at the FIFA World Cup
Summer Olympics
- Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since 1992.
| Summer Olympics record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | |
| 1900 to 1908 | Part of the Korean Empire | Part of the Korean Empire | |||||||||||||
| 1912 to 1936 | Part of Japan | Part of Japan | |||||||||||||
 1948 |
Quarter-finals | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 15 | Squad | Directly qualified | ||||||
 1952 |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
| 1956 |
Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
 1960 |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
 1964 |
Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |
 1968 |
Did not qualify | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 5 | ||||||||
| 1972 |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 2 | |||||||||
| 1976 |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 5 | |||||||||
 1980 |
6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 6 | |||||||||
 1984 |
11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 11 | |||||||||
 1988 |
Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad | Qualified as hosts | ||||||
| 1992–present | Entered with the under-23 team | Entered with the under-23 team | |||||||||||||
| Total | Quarter-finals | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 37 | 3/11 | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 91 | 39 | |
AFC Asian Cup
South Korea at the AFC Asian Cup
Asian Games
- Football at the Asian Games has been an under-23 tournament since 2002.
| Asian Games record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad |
 1951 |
Did not enter | |||||||
 1954 |
Silver medalists | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 12 | Squad |
| 1958 |
Silver medalists | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | Squad |
 1962 |
Silver medalists | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | Squad |
 1966 |
First round | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Squad |
| 1970 |
Gold medalists | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad |
 1974 |
Second round | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | Squad |
| 1978 |
Gold medalists | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 3 | Squad |
| 1982 |
Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Squad |
| 1986 |
Gold medalists | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 3 | Squad |
| 1990 |
Bronze medalists | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 1 | Squad |
| 1994 |
Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 7 | Squad |
| 1998 |
Quarter-finals | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 6 | Squad |
| 2002–present | Entered with the under-23 team | |||||||
| Total | Gold medalists | 61 | 36 | 8 | 17 | 128 | 63 | 12/13 |
EAFF Championship
| EAFF Championship record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad |
| 2003 |
Champions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | Squad |
| 2005 |
Fourth place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad |
| 2008 |
Champions | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | Squad |
| 2010 |
Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | Squad |
| 2013 |
Third place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad |
| 2015 |
Champions | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Squad |
| 2017 |
Champions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | Squad |
| 2019 |
Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | Squad |
| 2022 |
Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | Squad |
| Total | Champions | 27 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 39 | 20 | 9/9 |
Other competitions
| Competition | Round | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Squad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
Group stage | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Squad |
| 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup |
Group stage | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | Squad |
| 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup |
Fourth place | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | Squad |
Head-to-head record
The following table shows South Korea's head-to-head record, correct as of 26 March 2024.
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | WPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 100.00 |
 Algeria |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 50.00 |
 Angola |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Argentina |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 | 0.00 |
| Australia (list) |
29 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 29 | +1 | 31.03 |
| Bahrain |
17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 12 | +28 | 70.59 |
 Bangladesh |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 100.00 |
 Belarus |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.00 |
| Belgium |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 0.00 |
 Bolivia |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 33.33 |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 50.00 |
 Brazil |
8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 | −14 | 12.50 |
 Brunei |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Bulgaria |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
 Burkina Faso |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Cambodia |
7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 4 | +18 | 85.71 |
 Cameroon |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 60.00 |
| Canada |
5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 40.00 |
 Chile |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 33.33 |
| China (list) |
37 | 22 | 13 | 2 | 55 | 26 | +29 | 59.46 |
 Chinese Taipei |
21 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 50 | 19 | +31 | 66.67 |
 Colombia |
8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 50.00 |
 Costa Rica |
10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 40.00 |
 Croatia |
7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 28.57 |
 Cuba |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Czech Republic |
5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 14 | −9 | 20.00 |
| Denmark |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0.00 |
 Ecuador |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 50.00 |
 Egypt |
18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 21 | −3 | 33.33 |
| El Salvador |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
| England |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Finland |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
| France |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | −6 | 0.00 |
 Georgia |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Germany |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Ghana |
7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 14 | −4 | 42.86 |
 Greece |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 75.00 |
 Guam |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
 Guatemala |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 33.33 |
 Haiti |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Honduras |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 100.00 |
 Hong Kong |
29 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 69 | 21 | +48 | 75.86 |
 Hungary |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | −10 | 0.00 |
 Iceland |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 100.00 |
| India |
19 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 48 | 12 | +36 | 73.68 |
| Indonesia |
36 | 30 | 4 | 2 | 84 | 19 | +65 | 83.33 |
 Iran |
33 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 36 | 34 | +2 | 30.30 |
| Iraq |
23 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 27 | 14 | +13 | 39.13 |
 Israel |
11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 45.45 |
| Italy |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 50.00 |
 Ivory Coast |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Jamaica |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 50.00 |
| Japan (list) |
81 | 42 | 23 | 16 | 124 | 76 | +48 | 51.85 |
| Jordan |
7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 42.86 |
 Kazakhstan |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 50.00 |
 Kuwait |
24 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 30 | 20 | +10 | 50.00 |
 Kyrgyzstan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Laos |
5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | +28 | 100.00 |
 Latvia |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Lebanon |
16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 5 | +23 | 75.00 |
 Libya |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Macau |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 100.00 |
| Malaysia |
47 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 81 | 45 | +36 | 55.32 |
 Maldives |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Mali |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Malta |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 50.00 |
| Mexico |
14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 18 | 29 | −11 | 28.57 |
 Moldova |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
 Mongolia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100.00 |
 Morocco |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 0.00 |
 Myanmar |
27 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 42 | 15 | +27 | 55.56 |
| Nepal |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 0 | +53 | 100.00 |
 Netherlands |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0.00 |
 New Zealand |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 85.71 |
 Nigeria |
5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 60.00 |
 North Korea (list) |
17 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 6 | +8 | 41.18 |
 Macedonia |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50.00 |
 Northern Ireland |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
 Norway |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 25.00 |
 Oman |
5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 80.00 |
 Pakistan |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 100.00 |
 Panama |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Paraguay |
7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 28.57 |
| Peru |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0.00 |
 Philippines |
8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 | +37 | 100.00 |
 Poland |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 50.00 |
 Portugal |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Qatar |
11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 54.55 |
 Romania |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
 Russia |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 0.00 |
| Saudi Arabia |
19 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 20 | 18 | +2 | 26.32 |
| Scotland |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Senegal |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 25.00 |
| Serbia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 33.33 |
 Serbia and Montenegro |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Singapore |
27 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 90 | 19 | +71 | 81.48 |
 Slovakia |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
 South Yemen |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Spain |
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 16 | −11 | 0.00 |
 Sri Lanka |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | +19 | 100.00 |
 Sudan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 100.00 |
| Sweden |
5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 18 | −15 | 0.00 |
 Switzerland |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 50.00 |
 Syria |
10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 60.00 |
 Tajikistan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
| Thailand |
47 | 31 | 8 | 8 | 96 | 37 | +59 | 65.96 |
 Togo |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Trinidad and Tobago |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Tunisia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 33.33 |
| Turkey |
7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 14.29 |
 Turkmenistan |
5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 4 | +12 | 80.00 |
 Ukraine |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
| United Arab Emirates |
21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 14 | +24 | 61.90 |
| United States |
11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 45.45 |
 Uruguay |
10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 15 | −8 | 10.00 |
 Uzbekistan |
16 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 34 | 14 | +20 | 68.75 |
 Venezuela |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Vietnam |
25 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 66 | 21 | +45 | 68.00 |
| Wales |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Yemen |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 100.00 |
 Yugoslavia |
7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | −9 | 0.00 |
 Zambia |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 50.00 |
| Total | 980 | 528 | 241 | 211 | 1,762 | 904 | +858 | 53.88 |
Honours
Intercontinental
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
Champions: 1987
Continental
- Champions: 1956, 1960
Runners-up: 1972, 1980, 1988, 2015
Third place: 1964, 2000, 2007, 2011
- Asian Games
- Gold medalists: 1970, 1978, 1986
- Silver medalists: 1954, 1958, 1962
- Bronze medalists: 1990
Regional
- EAFF Championship
- Champions: 2003, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019
- Runners-up: 2010, 2022
- Third place: 2013
Minor competitions
- Korea Cup: 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1997
- Merdeka Tournament: 1960, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1978
- King's Cup: 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1998
- Jakarta Anniversary Tournament: 1981
- Dynasty Cup: 1990
- LG Cup: 2000 (Iran), 2001 (Egypt), 2006 (Saudi Arabia)
Other awards
- FIFA World Cup Most Entertaining Team: 2002
- AFC National Team of the Year: 2002, 2009
- EAFF Championship Fair Play Award: 2008
- AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 2011
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Corea del Sur para niños
- Football in South Korea
- South Korea national under-20 football team
- South Korea national under-17 football team
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South Korea national football team Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.