1. Overview
Jung Seok-Hwa (정석화Korean; born May 17, 1991) is a South Korean professional footballer who plays primarily as a midfielder or winger. He began his professional career with Busan IPark in 2013 and has since played for several other clubs in South Korea, including Gangwon FC, Seongnam FC, and FC Anyang. Throughout his career, he has been noted for his versatility, speed, and dribbling ability, often contributing to offensive plays with goals and assists.
2. Early life and career debut
Jung Seok-Hwa was born on May 17, 1991. He officially began his professional football career when he signed with Busan IPark on December 7, 2012. He made his professional debut on March 3, 2013, in the opening K League 1 match against Gangwon FC. On April 21, 2013, Jung recorded his first professional assist in a match against Jeonnam Dragons, marking his first offensive point as a professional player.
3. Club career
Jung Seok-Hwa has played for several clubs throughout his professional career, showcasing his skills across different teams in the South Korean football league system.
3.1. Busan IPark
Jung Seok-Hwa joined Busan IPark on December 7, 2012. In his debut season, he became a regular member of the IPark squad, frequently playing as a central midfielder alongside Park Jong-woo. His first goal for the club came on May 4, 2014, in a match against Gyeongnam FC, where he scored with a header from a cross delivered by Park Joon-gang. Although capable of playing various midfield roles, Jung consistently featured on the wing for Busan, utilizing his notable speed and dribbling ability. During the 2016 season, he was a key offensive contributor, registering ten assists, which was the joint highest in the division. His strong performances also earned him a spot in the league's weekly Best XI on seven separate occasions that year. He remained with Busan IPark through the 2017 season.
3.2. Gangwon FC
At the beginning of 2018, Jung Seok-Hwa moved to K League 1 club Gangwon FC. He immediately established himself as a regular player for the team in his debut season with Gangwon. However, after a promising start to the 2019 season, he unfortunately sustained an injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the year, significantly impacting his playing time. He continued with Gangwon FC until the end of the 2020 season.
3.3. Seongnam FC
In the summer transfer window of 2021, Jung Seok-Hwa transferred to Seongnam FC. His arrival was noted as a move to bolster the attack of a team that had been struggling with a lack of goals in the K League 1.
3.4. FC Anyang
Jung Seok-Hwa's career continued with a loan move to FC Anyang during the summer transfer window of the 2022 season. During his time at FC Anyang, he contributed to the team's efforts in the K League 2.
4. Playing style
Jung Seok-Hwa is a versatile footballer primarily known for his roles as a midfielder and a winger. His playing style is characterized by his exceptional speed and strong dribbling ability, which allows him to effectively run past defenders and create offensive opportunities. While he has played as a central midfielder, his attributes make him particularly effective on the wing, where he can exploit space and deliver crosses or cut inside towards the goal. His versatility means he can adapt to several positions within the midfield, providing tactical flexibility for his teams.
5. Career statistics
As of January 1, 2021, Jung Seok-Hwa's club career statistics are as follows:
| Club performance | League | Cup | Play-offs | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 2013 | Busan IPark | K League 1 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 35 | 0 |
| 2014 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2015 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 2 | ||
| 2016 | K League 2 | 40 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 1 | ||
| 2018 | Gangwon FC | K League 1 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 2 |
| 2019 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 201 | 10 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 216 | 11 | ||