Beijing Guoan’s Kim Min-jae told to ‘apologise or leave’ for criticising China teammates

Defender’s comments on defensive partner Yu Dabao and full-back Wang Gang to South Korean television spark outrage

Topic trends on Chinese social media as fans turn on player linked with move to English Premier League’s Watford

3-MIN READ3-MIN

South Korea's defender Kim Min-jae celebrates after scoring against China at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in January, 2019. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:48pm, 5 May 2020Updated: 6:58pm, 5 May 2020

Beijing Guoan’s South Korean international defender Kim Min-jae has found himself the target of online fury after comments he made about his teammates to a television channel back home were translated into Chinese and trended on social media.

Kim, who recently married in his homeland, told the show host about his teammates and training sessions with the Chinese Super League side. Comments about his central defensive partner (and former striker) Yu Dabao and full-back Wang Gang, both China internationals, have caused outrage online and become a top topic on online portal Sina Sports.

“My partner is a national player of the Chinese national team, but he is indeed a striker. Although he is no longer the main force of the national team, but it still feels a bit weird. He actually doesn’t know how to defend.”

Kim also said he has “no chance to attack” because of having to cover for Wang. “I still have to make up for the full-back, and I have no time to attack.”

The defender, who has 30 caps for South Korea and played at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, joined the Beijing club from K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he won the league in both of his two seasons.