North Korea call up three foreign-based stars

North Korea named three players who earn their living in lucrative foreign leagues to their 23-man squad for the World Cup finals on Thursday.

Midfielder An Yong-hak, who plays for Omiya Ardija in Japan’s J-League, and strike duo Hong Yong-jo (Rostov of Russia) and Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale of the J-League) were called-up by North Korea coach Kim Jong-Hun.

North Korea, who reached the quarter-finals of the 1966 World Cup in England, are in Group G in the finals in South Africa alongside five-time champions Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Portugal.

The North’s squad also includes three members of their national Under-19 set-up Kim Kum-il (April 25), Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop) and Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City).

North Korea are currently training in Switzerland and will tackle fellow finalists Paraguay in a warm-up in Geneva on Sunday. They are also scheduled to meet Greece and Nigeria in their build-up programme.

North Korea’s 23-man World Cup squad announced on Thursday:

Goalkeepers: Ri Myong-Guk (Pyongyang City), Kim Myong-Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myon-Won (Amrokgang)

Defenders: Cha Jong-Hyok (Amrokgang), Nam Song-Chol (April 25), Pak Chol-Jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-Chol (Amrokgang), Ri Jun-Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-Chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-Hyok (Kyonggongop)

Midfielders: Ahn Young-Hak (Omiya Ardija/JPN), Ji Yun-Nam (April 25), Kim Kyong-Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong-Jun (Chengdu), Mun In-Guk (April 25), Pak Nam-Chol (April 25), Pak Sung-Hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol-Myong (Pyongyang City)

Forwards: An Chol-Hyok (Rimyongsu), Choe Kum-Chol (Rimyongsu), Hong Yong-Jo (FC Rostov/RUS), Jong Tae-Se (Kawasaki Frontale/JPN), Kim Kum-Il (April 25)