1. Overview
Baek Seung-Min (백승민Baek Seung-MinKorean) is a South Korean former professional footballer who primarily played as a midfielder. Born on March 12, 1986, Baek was once considered a promising talent, representing South Korea in prestigious youth international tournaments such as the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship and the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. His professional club career saw him play for Chunnam Dragons in the K League. However, his career was abruptly cut short when he was implicated in the 2010 K League match-fixing scandal, leading to a permanent ban from the domestic football league system. This incident stands as a stark reminder of the challenges to integrity within the sport and its profound impact on individuals and the broader football community.
2. Early life
2.1. Birth
Baek Seung-Min was born on March 12, 1986, in South Korea. He developed an interest in football from a young age, leading him to pursue a career in the sport.
3. Football career
Baek Seung-Min's football career spanned both youth international stages and professional club play, where he gained experience as a midfielder.
3.1. Youth and national team career
Baek Seung-Min was a notable player in South Korea's youth national teams. He represented his country in two significant international tournaments. In the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship, held in Finland, Baek was a member of the South Korean U-17 national squad, wearing jersey number 7. The team was coached by Yoon Deok-yeo. Two years later, he continued his international youth career by participating in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, which took place in the Netherlands. Again, he was part of the South Korean U-20 national team, also wearing jersey number 7, under the management of coach Park Sung-hwa.
3.2. Club career
Baek Seung-Min began his professional club career in South Korea with Chunnam Dragons, a club competing in the K League. He joined the team in 2006 and continued to play for them through the 2009 season. During his tenure, he featured in various domestic competitions, including the K League, KFA Cup, and the League Cup. He also made appearances in continental competitions with the club. His time at Chunnam Dragons provided him with significant professional experience, contributing to the team's campaigns in the top tier of South Korean football.
4. Career statistics
The following table details Baek Seung-Min's professional club career statistics for appearances and goals.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| South Korea | League | KFA Cup | League Cup | Asia | Total | |||||||
| 2006 | Chunnam Dragons | K League | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 0 | - | 20 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | South Korea | 38 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 1 | |
| Career total | 38 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 1 | ||
5. Criticism and controversy
5.1. 2010 match-fixing scandal
Baek Seung-Min's football career was overshadowed by his involvement in the 2010 K League match-fixing scandal, a significant event that severely damaged the integrity of South Korean football. The scandal, which emerged in late 2010 and intensified in 2011, involved numerous players, coaches, and intermediaries participating in illegal betting and match manipulation. As a result of his confirmed involvement in these illicit activities, Baek Seung-Min faced severe disciplinary action from the K League authorities. He was ultimately subjected to a permanent ban from the entire domestic football league system. This drastic measure effectively ended his professional career in South Korea and served as a clear message about the league's stance against corruption in sports. The scandal prompted significant efforts within Korean football to implement stricter regulations and foster greater transparency to prevent similar incidents in the future.