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Goalkeepers
1-Lee Woon-jae (Suwon Blue Wings) Born: 26.4.73
Unspectacular but reliable, Lee was a key member of the Suwon team that won back-to-back Korean titles in 1998 and 1999. Having just completed his mandatory two years national service by playing for the army's Sangmoo team, he will rejoin Suwon for the start of the 2002 season. The No.1 choice for coach Guus Hiddink.

12-Kim Byung-ji (Pohang Steelers) Born: 8.4.70
Among the most popular of all Korean footballers, Kim has fallen out of favour with Hiddink because of his tendency to lose concentration and make mistakes. A good shot-stopper and distributor of the ball, he has drawn as much attention with his multi-coloured hairstyles.

23-Choi Eun-song (Taejon Citizen) Born: 5.4.71
Veteran member of Taejon Citizen, and a key figure in their 2001 Korean FA Cup triumph. Made his international debut under Hiddink in a 2-1 win over Nigeria in September 2001. Stronger on crosses than most Korean goalkeepers.

Defenders
7-Kim Tae-young (Chunnam Dragons) Born: 8.11.70. Caps: 76 Goals: 3.
Experienced left-back who likes to get forward and play long cross-field passes. Kim's biggest weakness is his fiery temper, which earns him many yellow cards and occasionally reds.

15-Lee Min-sung (Pusan I.cons) Born: 23.6.73
A physically powerful, hard-tackling centre-half, Lee played in all three matches at the 1998 World Cup and returned to Pusan I.cons during the 2001 season after military service. An ankle injury suffered in training before the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup ruled Lee out of the competition, and he may have some difficulty regaining his place in the starting line-up.

4-Choi Jin-cheul (Chonbuk Motors) Born: 26.3.71
A late starter at international level, Choi has in recent months earned himself a regular starting spot with a succession of assured performances. Captained South Korea in the 2002 Gold Cup semifinal against Costa Rica and scored his first international goal in the 3-1 defeat.

20-Hong Myung-bo (Pohang Steelers) Born: 12.2.69
Korea's most-capped player, Hong has played in the last three World Cups. Scored against both Spain and Germany at USA 94. Out of action for much of 2001 with a stress fracture, Hong is likely to be in Hiddink's starting line-up, although probably not in his familiar role of sweeper.

Midfielders
22-Song Chong-gug (Pusan I.cons) Born: 20.2.79
Song has become a regular member of the first team under Hiddink, who has played him in a number of positions in defence and midfield. Was named Asian Footballer of the Month for November 2001, and scored a spectacular long-range goal against the United States in South Korea's 2-1 Gold Cup defeat.

6-Yoo Sang-chul (Kashiwa Reysol) Born: 18.10.71
Central midfielder and likely to captain the team at the World Cup, Yoo is strong in the air and likes to get forward for set pieces. Scored Korea's equaliser against Belgium in France '98, as well as heading winners in the 2001 Confederations Cup against Mexico, a match in which he played with a broken nose, and against the United States in last December's friendly on South Korea's Cheju island.

3-Choi Sung-yong (Suwon Blue Wings) Born: 15.12.75
Left Japan's Vissel Kobe in February 2001 to join LASK Linz but turned down a three-year contract with the Austrian side and joined Asian club champions Suwon. A versatile wingback who can play equally comfortably on either flank, Choi set up both Blue Wings goals in a vital Asian Club Championship quarterfinal win over Chinese champions Dalian Shide in February.

13-Lee Eul-yong (Bucheon) Born: 8.9.75
Another member of the squad whose international career has bloomed under Hiddink, Lee's distribution and aggression have made him a regular on the left side of midfield. Put on a special weight-training programme by Hiddink in mid-2001, he has become noticeably stronger.

21-Park Ji-sung (Kyoto Purple Sanga) Born: 25.2.81
An aggressive player used by Hiddink chiefly to win possession in midfield and set up attacks. Went straight to the J League without playing in Korea and helped Kyoto to promotion at the end of the 2001 season.

5-Kim Nam-il (Chunnam Dragons) Born: 14.3.77
Having initially looked uncomfortable playing in front of the back three, Kim has claimed a regular starting place. Scored his only international goal to date in November's 2-0 friendly win over Croatia.

10-Lee Young-pyo (Anyang Cheetahs) Born: 23.4.77
Had his first season in professional football as a regular in the Cheetahs team that won the 2000 K-League title. Has good close control and likes to run at opponents, something he attributes to growing up watching Diego Maradona and his favourite player, Ryan Giggs.

2-Hyun Young-min (Ulsan Tigers) Born: 25.12.79
First spotted by Hiddink while playing for Konkuk University, all but one of Hyun's national team appearances so far have been as a substitute. Right-sided midfielder who is capable of putting opponents under pressure with long throw-ins.

14-Lee Chun-soo (Ulsan Tigers) Born: 9.7.81
An aggressive and unpredictable dribbler, Lee was targeted by a number of Korean clubs before entering Korea University in 2000. Has had injury troubles, both with a recurring shoulder problem and a knee condition, Osgood Schlatter disease, that put him out of the Gold Cup.

Forwards
8-Choi Tai-uk (Anyang Cheetahs) Born: 13.8.81
A speedy winger who chose, unlike most Korean players, not to go to university, joining Anyang straight from high school. Choi scored South Korea's opener in the 2-0 Gold Cup win over Croatia, but was carried off six minutes into the 3-1 third-place match loss to Canada with an Achilles tendon injury.

18-Hwang Sun-hong (Kashiwa Reysol) Born: 14.7.68
Hong has been Korea's most consistent forward for much of the past decade, and his absence due to injury played a major part in the team's poor showing at France '98. Korea's outstanding player in the 2001 Confederations Cup, scoring against Mexico and Australia. J-League topscorer in 1999.

17-Yoon Jung-hwan (Cerezo Osaka) Born: 16.2.73
Skilful and creative midfielder, Yoon has not found favour with Hiddink due to his slight physique and reluctance to defend.

11-Choi Yong-soo (JEF United Ichihara) Born: 10.9.73
K-League Player of the Year in 2000 when he led Anyang Cheetahs to the league title. Choi was top scorer in Asian World Cup qualifying for France 1998. Had a spell with English premier league club West Ham United in 1999 but did not break into the first team.

16-Cha Doo-ri (Korea University) Born: 25.7.80
The son of Cha Bum-keun, who spent 10 successful years in the Bundesliga, he was noticed by Hiddink when the national team played a practice match against Korea University. Strong and aggressive, Cha was a regular during the Gold Cup.

9-Seol Ki-hyeon (Anderlecht) Born: 8.1.79.
Spent last season with Royal Antwerp, whom he joined straight from Kwangwoon University. Moved to Anderlecht at the beginning of this season, despite the efforts of former Antwerp head coach Regi Van Acker to take him to Lierse. Scored a hat-trick in 12 minutes in the 2002 Belgian Super Cup, and also became the first Korean to score in the Champions League.

19-Ahn Jung-hwan (Perugia) 27.1.76
In his second season with Perugia, Ahn is still on loan from Pusan I.cons, but has had difficulty getting regular first-team football. Before leaving for Italy, he was K-League Player of the Year and second top scorer in 1999. Korea's most popular player, he has appeared in commercials and even a pop music video.