"Insults I had never even heard poured out." Kim Dong-jun's serious remarks toward Bucheon fans: "The support culture is regrettable"

*This content was translated by AI.

"Children will have to carry on that supporter culture later on…. That is why it was even more regrettable."

Kim Dong-jun (32), a goalkeeper for Jeju SK in K League 1, made a serious statement toward some supporters of the opposing BucheonFC. He expressed regret over the support culture, where insults were hurled back despite his gesture of respect toward the opposing fans. This was not the first time this had happened, and today was Children's Day, a day when there were unusually many young fans. Kim Dong-jun said, "That is why it was even more regrettable and disappointing. I think that kind of culture among Bucheon fans should change."

On the 5th, after the 1-0 victory over Bucheon in the 12th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 held at Bucheon Sports Complex, Kim Dong-jun met with reporters and directly explained the conflict situation with Bucheon fans throughout the second half. While guarding the Jeju goal right in front of the Bucheon supporter section during the second half, Kim Dong-jun was subjected to booing from some Bucheon fans on multiple occasions. Kim was often seen making gestures toward the fans or even turning his back to them to engage in conversation. It is an unusual scene for a goalkeeper to respond directly to the booing of fans right behind him.

Kim Dong-jun said, "Personally, before the second half begins, I bow more than 90 degrees to all opposing team fans. It is a gesture meaning mutual respect." He continued, "When I greeted them, insults I had never even heard poured out. I asked, 'Why are you insulting me after I greeted you? It is May 5th (Children's Day), so please stop the insults,' but they did it anyway. I think that kind of culture should change."

He added, "It was regrettable, and on another level, disappointing. Today is Children's Day. The children in the stands will have to carry on that culture later on, and it is regrettable that they are taking on such a culture. I did not insult them first, nor did I waste time. I did not make them angry, yet they brought up the title of 'opposition to relocation.' In fact, we did not relocate, did we?"

In fact, the match between the two teams today also drew attention as a "relocation derby." Jeju SK was originally a team based in Bucheon before relocating, and BucheonFC was a civic club founded with Bucheon supporters as its core after Jeju SK's relocation. Accordingly, Bucheon supporters today displayed banners such as "The children of Bucheon 20 years ago are still protecting Bucheon today" along with a banner condemning SK's past relocation, and repeatedly chanted "Opposition to relocation."

However, the relocation incident occurred in 2006, and Kim Dong-jun debuted in the professional league in 2016, playing for Jeju since 2022. Leaving aside the long-standing anger of Bucheon fans, Kim Dong-jun found it difficult to easily understand the reaction of some Bucheon fans toward him, who had little to do with the past relocation. Even on this day, he had to endure booing from Bucheon fans despite being knocked down in a major collision with an opponent.

He said, "I hope we can continue to maintain a support culture of mutual respect. Players are trying to show good soccer, but I think that because of people like that, fans who love K League are leaving." He emphasized, "I did not provoke the fans, yet it led to booing. Wouldn't it be best to have a culture where fans cheer for their own players instead of criticizing opposing players?"

Kim Dong-jun continued, "Whether we win or lose, whether it rains or not, I respect the fans who cheer passionately. That kind of culture is necessary. If, even after this article is published, (Bucheon fans) are the same, I think I may no longer need to respect Bucheon fans. Perhaps the Korea Professional Football League and the (Bucheon) club should send a message to the fans asking them to exercise restraint."

Regarding Kim Dong-jun's claims, a representative from the Bucheon supporter group Hermes said, "When Kim Dong-jun greeted them, some fans may have used insults. We cannot simply say 'we did not insult anyone.'" However, he explained, "Supporters who sit in the supporter section do not join through a separate structure. There are members of subgroups within, but the majority are (general) fans who are not part of those groups. The on-site team cannot manage each of the approximately 600 spectators sitting in the supporter section individually."

He further explained, "Those who are active in the supporter on-site teams, etc., do ask for restraint when insults come out from the supporter section. We do not directly tell them to insult more. No matter how much the opponent is our rival, or even if it is a team that fans do not like, we do not say, 'Let's start with insults.'"

On the contrary, it was also argued that Kim Dong-jun, who stood in front of Bucheon fans throughout the match, made provocative gestures, which further intensified the emotions of Bucheon fans. A Bucheon supporter representative said, "Kim Dong-jun deliberately kept picking a fight with the fans. Even though he deliberately provoked them, the fans held back a lot." He added, "Clapping requires two hands to meet to make a sound. Because he kept provoking like that, some fans' emotions must have intensified."

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*This content was translated by AI.