Hong Hyun-seok and Seol Young-woo, who have been named to both the A and Hangzhou Asian Games 메이저놀이터(AG) squads, have mixed destinations. Hong Hyun-seok will travel to Changwon to train for the AG call-up, while Seol Young-woo will remain in England to play A matches.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on the evening of the 8th (KST), “Hong Hyun-seok, who boarded the Cleansman, has completed his transfer to the Hangzhou AG national team. He will return home after recovery training in Cardiff and join the Changwon call-up training on the evening of the 9th.”

When Klinsmann announced the A squad roster last month, there was some overlap with the Hangzhou AG squad. Song Min-kyu, Baek Seung-ho, Jung Woo-young, and Park Kyu-hyun headed straight to Hwangseon Hongho, while Seol Young-woo and Hong Hyun-seok joined the A squad. “I decided to call up Seol Young-woo and Hong Hyun-seok to the A squad because I think they are essential players for the Wales game,” Klinsmann explained to KFA at the time. “If there are no special circumstances, we will cooperate with the two players to join the AG squad as soon as possible,” he added.

South Korea and Wales played a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Aug. 8. Keeper Moore attempts a header in the second half after winning a contest with Seol Young-woo. The ball hit the post. Reuters

At the time, Klinsmann cited “special circumstances” for the early inclusion of the two players. He said he would take into account the injuries, fitness and performances of other players. Against Wales on Aug. 8, the two started side by side, with Hong playing 61 minutes before being substituted. Seol played the full time. As announced, Hong Hyun-seok is heading straight to Changwon, but Seol Young-woo is likely to stay.

The national team’s back four is currently Kang Sang-woo, Lee Ki-je, Ahn Hyun-beom, and Seol Young-woo. Kang Sang-woo and Ahn Hyun-beom have yet to take the field. It will be interesting to see what Klinsmann decides to use against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 13.