1. Life and Career
Jung Yong-hoon's life as a footballer was marked by his dedication to the sport, from his early education through his professional career with clubs and international appearances.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Jung Yong-hoon was born on March 11, 1979. He attended Dongdae Attached Middle School and later graduated from Daeshin High School in Seoul. His formative years were spent developing his football skills, which eventually led him to a professional career.
1.2. Club Career
Jung began his professional club career in 1998 when he joined Suwon Samsung Bluewings. In his debut year, he immediately contributed to the team's K League championship victory. Following his successful first season, he re-signed with the club in 1999.
In 2000, Jung Yong-hoon began his mandatory military service and joined Police FC, a football club specifically for police personnel. After completing his service, he returned to Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2001. A notable moment in his club career came in 2002 during the Asian Super Cup final against Al-Hilal. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Jung successfully converted the first penalty, contributing to Suwon's second consecutive victory in the tournament.
1.3. International Career
Jung Yong-hoon also made significant contributions to the South Korean national youth teams. In 1998, he was a member of the South Korea U-20 national team that competed in the 1998 AFC Youth Championship. His performance helped lead the team to claim their ninth title in the tournament.
Later, in 2001, he represented the South Korea U-23 national team at the 2001 East Asian Games. During the group stage, he delivered a strong performance in the match against the Mongolian national team, scoring two goals in a 4-1 victory for South Korea.
2. Career Statistics
The following table details Jung Yong-hoon's club and international career statistics. These statistics are as of January 1, 2004.
| Season | Club | League | League Apps | League Goals | FA Cup Apps | FA Cup Goals | League Cup Apps | League Cup Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | K League | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 28 | 3 |
| 1999 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | K League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | Police FC | National Industrial Football Federation League | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2001 | Police FC | National Industrial Football Federation League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | K League | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2003 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings | K League | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| Club Career Total | 45 ! 3 ! 4 ! 2 ! 23 ! 2 ! 72 ! 7 | |||||||||
| International Career Total | 4 ! 2 ! - ! - ! - ! - ! 4 ! 2 | |||||||||
| Career Total | 49 ! 5 ! 4 ! 2 ! 23 ! 2 ! 76 ! 9 | |||||||||
3. Honours
Jung Yong-hoon achieved several significant honours during his football career, both with his clubs and on the international stage.
3.1. Club
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings
- K League: 1998, 1999
- FA Cup: 2002
- League Cup: 1999
- Super Cup: 1999
- Asian Club Championship: 2001-02
- Asian Super Cup: 2002
3.2. International
- South Korea U-20 national team
- AFC U-19 Championship: 1998
4. Death
q=Seodaemun-gu, Seoul|position=right
Jung Yong-hoon died tragically on August 31, 2003, at the age of 24. The incident occurred in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, when the car he was driving collided with a road boundary stone, then crashed into a protective barrier alongside the road, causing the vehicle to overturn. He died at the scene of the accident.
The news of his death sent shockwaves through the South Korean football community. On the same day, players participating in the K League match between Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo wore black ribbons on their uniforms as a mark of mourning and respect.
5. Legacy and Commemoration
Following Jung Yong-hoon's passing, several memorial events and traditions were established to honor his memory. On September 3, 2003, a special ceremony dedicated to Jung Yong-hoon was held during the K League match between Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Daejeon Citizen.
His legacy continues to be remembered by the fans of Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The club's supporters, known as Grand Bleu, annually commemorate Jung Yong-hoon. Typically, on a match day close to August 31, his death anniversary, they adorn the stadium railings with chrysanthemum flowers and chant his dedicated cheering slogans, ensuring that his spirit and contributions to the team are not forgotten.