[On-Site Interview] 'From B Team and Loan to Starting Lineup' Song Jun-seok, Parting Ways with Gangwon for a While... "Aiming for National Team After Discharge"

*This content was translated by AI.

"I wanted to say goodbye to fans and teammates with a smile, but I couldn't, so I feel very regretful."

Gangwon FC defender Song Jun-seok (25) expressed his sincere feelings ahead of his military enlistment. Alongside gratitude toward Gangwon, which helped him grow, he declared his resolve to return as an even better player.

Song Jun-seok will enlist on the 3rd Kim Cheon (SVP). He plans to continue his athletic career while fulfilling his national defense obligations for one year and six months.

On the 1st, he held a farewell match to briefly part ways with Gangwon. Song Jun-seok, who had recently cut his hair short, took the field for his final game in front of Gangwon fans. However, the result was not favorable. Gangwon suffered a decisive 0-3 defeat against BucheonFC in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 21 home match held at GangneungHigh1 Resort Arena on the 1st.

When met after the match, Song Jun-seok's face was marked with deep regret. He said, "Since it was my final game, I wanted to say goodbye to fans and teammates with a smile. Not being able to do so makes me very regretful. From the warm-up, I entered the field with the mindset of pouring everything into the match. That is why I feel even more regretful after the game ended. I believe I could have performed better."

He continued, "Coach Jeong Kyung-ho told me to do well in the military," adding, "I also wanted to show my best until the end to the coach, so I am truly sorry that I couldn't."

Song Jun-seok, a left-sided defender, is known for his explosive energy. Despite his modest height of 171cm, he tirelessly covers the field and contributes to both offense and defense. Before the match against, Coach Jeong Kyung-ho remarked, "Song Jun-seok does so much for Gangwon. He shows a high energy level and tenaciously marks opponents," expressing regret over the gap caused by his enlistment.

Gangwon is a special team to Song Jun-seok. After attending Eonam High School and Cheongju University, he made his professional debut with Gangwon in 2021. He showed potential by appearing in 11 K League 1 matches that year, but the following season, he was pushed out of the starting lineup and did not play in any first-division games.

Consequently, Song Jun-seok went on loan to Gimpo FC, which belonged to K League 2 during the 2023 season, gaining experience over one year.

Returning to Gangwon for the 2024 season, Song Jun-seok had changed. Although he faced fierce competition for a starting spot again, this time he did not miss his opportunity. He appeared in 22 league matches, contributing to Gangwon's runner-up finish.

His position remained solid even under Coach Jeong Kyung-ho, who took charge from 2025. After playing 24 matches last season, he also appeared in 16 games this season. On July 4, during an away match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, he scored his first goal of the season with a spectacular free kick.

Song Jun-seok said, "I joined Gangwon in 2021, spent two to three years in the B Team, and also went on loan to Gimpo. There were times I played and times I didn't." He added, "This year, I gradually secured my place and started playing matches, so it is very regretful that I am leaving like this. I am truly grateful to Gangwon, which helped me grow."

He also expressed special gratitude toward Coach Jeong. Song Jun-seok stated, "I think he is the best coach I have ever met. He treats me warmly, like an uncle, and we talk a lot. I learned so much from him, even in football-related matters."

He continued with a smile, "I believe what I learned from the coach will be a great help even while in the military. I think I should stay in touch frequently in the future."

Song Jun-seok does not view his enlistment as a simple gap. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity to grow one step further.

In fact, there are many players who honed their skills during military service at Sangmu and later earned the Taeguk mark. Strikers Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) are representative examples. Even within Gangwon, Mo Jae-hyun and Seo Min-woo have been called up to the national team. Kim Dae-won is also playing as the team's ace this season, recording seven goals and five assists.

Song Jun-seok has set even bigger goals. He said, "Like my senior teammates, I want to try joining the national team after my discharge. I believe Sangmu is a glorious position that every K League player dreams of. After enlisting, I will do my best and return as an even better player," he emphasized.

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*This content was translated by AI.