North Korean Jong´s dream to play in England

North Korea’s uninhibited striker Jong Tae-Se says it’s a dream of his to play in the English Premier League.

Jong, whose skill and pace was not out of place against Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast in North Korea’s demanding group at the World Cup, has made some European clubs sit up and take notice of his form on the international arena.

“I haven’t scored in this World Cup so I have to be stronger mentally,” said Jong, only one of three in the team who play outside of the reclusive North Korean state.

Jong, 26, who plays with Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League, has been linked with a move to German side VfL Bochum, but would ultimately love to play in England.

“I really want to play at an English Premiership club, I love Manchester United and Chelsea, it is a dream of mine, but I am contracted to Kawasaki Frontale,” he said.

Jong stands alone in the cosseted North Korean squad and is not afraid to express his opinions in interviews.

Many times at the World Cup he stayed behind in the mixed zone talking with foreign reporters in English while his teammates filed out as a group without a sideways glance.

He holds South Korean nationality like his father, who is a descendant of immigrants from colonial Korea.

But he managed to obtain a North Korean passport after attending patriotic pro-Pyongyang schools in Japan at the urging of his mother who has been loyal to the North.

At North Korea’s opening match with Brazil, tears streamed down Jong’s face as his country’s national anthem was played, underlining his commitment to the secretive Communist state.

“Everybody thinks about our country as being closed and mysterious, so we have to change that,” he said.

“We can change to the better if we are more open with the way we talk to people and it would make a better team.”

Jong said there was plenty to learn for North Korea if they were to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“We regret the results, but there was a real gulf in class between us and our opponents,” he said.

“Now we have seen what the top players and teams are capable of. They definitely possess an edge over us mentally, physically and technically.

“We have studied this World Cup and we have to change and save the things we did well and change our bad aspects.”

While Ivory Coast, led by Chelsea star Didier Drogba, were a level above the doughty North Koreans playing five across the back, Jong didn’t look out of place up against them.

He tested their defence with speed and close control and had a great chance in the 81st minute and only a diving block from Manchester City defender Kolo Toure prevented him from scoring.