The sad news of former soccer coach Park Jong-hwan (84) from Chuncheon has been reported.
On TV Chosun’s ‘Star Documentary My Way’, which was broadcast on the 13th, the appearance of former director Park living in an acquaintance’s house following taking all of his fortune was revealed.
Park is a legendary figure in Korean football who led the legend of the quarterfinals by coaching the Korean national team during the 4th World Youth Soccer Championships in Mexico in 1983.
Despite his splendid reputation, former director Park currently lives apart from his family and is living a lonely old age, showing signs of tinnitus and depression.
He said, “I lent money to 7 or 8 people I know, but I didn’t get a penny and I mightn’t even see their faces,” he said.
Former director Park, living apart from his independent son and daughter, misses his wife, who passed away six years ago.
Former coach Park said, “The old-age pension of 300,000 won and his son’s allowance of 300,000 won are all.
He hesitated at the producer’s request to introduce acquaintances while meeting with his fan club members, and said, “I know the face, but the name is confusing.”
The broadcast also revealed the special relationship between Son Heung-min, a world-famous soccer star born in Chuncheon, and his father, Son Woong-jeong.
Former coach Park, who was in charge of the new team Ilhwacheonma (currently Seongnam FC), opened up new opportunities in his career by leading Son Woong-jeong, who was playing as a player at the time, to his own team.
Son Heung-min, who came from Park Jong-hwan’s soccer class, is also known for being tutored for a month when he was in elementary school.
Born in Ongjin, Hwanghae, former director Park attended Chuncheon High School and spent his school days in Chuncheon.
He served as the manager of the men’s national soccer team at the 11th Beijing Asian Games, and took the lead at Ilhwa Chunma Football Team, Daegu FC, and Seongnam FC.
Former director Park also has a deep relationship with the late comedian Lee Joo-jool. They were close friends who went to Chuncheon High School together, and former director Park showed off his special friendship by helping comedian Lee Joo-il from the time he was unknown.
