1. Overview
Pak Seung-jin (박승진Pak Sŭng-jinKorean; January 11, 1941 - August 5, 2011) was a prominent North Korean footballer who played as a midfielder. He gained international recognition as the captain of the North Korea national team during their historic run at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England. Pak Seung-jin scored two significant goals in the tournament, one against Chile and another against Portugal, making him the first Asian footballer to score a goal in a FIFA World Cup. Following the tournament, his life became the subject of controversy, with some reports alleging his imprisonment in a political prison camp due to perceived bourgeois behavior, while other accounts, including his own, denied any such retribution. His career and post-World Cup life reflect the unique challenges faced by athletes in North Korea during that era.
2. Early Life and Personal Details
2.1. Birth and upbringing
Pak Seung-jin was born on January 11, 1941, in Wonsan, a port city located in Kangwon Province, North Korea. Information regarding his early life experiences and upbringing beyond his birthplace is limited.
2.2. Personal information
Pak Seung-jin primarily played as a midfielder throughout his football career. He was known for his physical attributes, standing at 66 in (168 cm) and weighing 150 lb (68 kg). He passed away on August 5, 2011.
3. Football Career
Pak Seung-jin's football career spanned both club and international levels, marked by his leadership and distinctive training methods.
3.1. Club career
From 1965 to 1974, Pak Seung-jin played for the Moranbong Sports Group, a prominent football club in North Korea. Details regarding his specific appearances or goal statistics at the club level are not widely available.
3.2. National team career
Pak Seung-jin was a key member of the North Korea national football team from 1965 to 1973. He earned 12 caps for his country, scoring 6 goals during this period. He notably served as the captain of the North Korean squad that participated in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, leading the team through their qualifying matches and the main tournament.
His national team goals are listed below:
| # | Date | Location | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 21, 1965 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Australia | 6-1 | 1966 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC/OFC) |
| 2 | November 21, 1965 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Australia | 6-1 | 1966 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC/OFC) |
| 3 | November 24, 1965 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Australia | 3-1 | 1966 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC/OFC) |
| 4 | July 15, 1966 | Middlesbrough, England | Chile | 1-1 | 1966 FIFA World Cup |
| 5 | July 23, 1966 | Liverpool, England | Portugal | 3-5 | 1966 FIFA World Cup |
| 6 | May 11, 1973 | Tehran, Iran | Iran | 1-2 | 1974 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC/OFC) |
3.3. Training methods
Pak Seung-jin was known for his rigorous and unique training regimen, aimed at developing powerful lower body strength. According to his teammate Han Bong-jin, Pak Seung-jin would tie rubber bands to his ankles, hold them with his hands, and then perform 1,000 kicks with his right foot and another 1,000 kicks with his left foot. This intense practice routine contributed to his effectiveness as a midfielder.
4. 1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup marked a historic moment for North Korean football, with Pak Seung-jin playing a pivotal role in the team's unexpected success.
4.1. Team's historic run
The North Korean national team, captained by Pak Seung-jin, made a surprising and historic debut at the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England. Despite being considered underdogs, the team advanced beyond the group stage, an unprecedented achievement for an Asian team at the time. Their progression to the quarter-finals was a significant upset, captivating audiences worldwide.
4.2. Notable goals and achievements
Pak Seung-jin scored two crucial goals during the 1966 FIFA World Cup. His first goal came in the second group stage match against Chile on July 15, 1966, in Middlesbrough. He scored the equalizer in the 88th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw. This goal was historically significant as it was not only North Korea's first-ever World Cup goal but also the first goal scored by an Asian footballer in the tournament's history. Furthermore, it marked the 700th goal in World Cup history. This crucial goal helped North Korea secure their first knockout stage appearance.
His second goal was scored in the quarter-final match against Portugal on July 23, 1966, in Liverpool. Despite North Korea taking an early 3-0 lead, with Pak Seung-jin contributing one of these goals, Portugal, led by the legendary Eusébio, mounted a comeback to win the match 5-3, ending North Korea's remarkable World Cup journey.
5. Controversy and allegations
Following the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Pak Seung-jin's life became the subject of conflicting reports and allegations, particularly concerning his post-tournament fate and the human rights situation in North Korea.
5.1. Yodok concentration camp allegations
Reports from various sources, including North Korean defectors, have alleged that Pak Seung-jin, along with other members of the 1966 World Cup team, faced severe retribution upon their return to North Korea. Kang Chol-hwan, a prominent North Korean defector, claimed in his book The Aquariums of Pyongyang that he encountered Pak Seung-jin in the Yodok concentration camp. According to Kang, Pak and his teammates were imprisoned for celebrating their victory over Italy in a bar, an act allegedly deemed "a sign of bourgeois decadence" by North Korean authorities. Kang Chol-hwan further stated that Pak Seung-jin remained in the camp for over 20 years.
Other accounts from Japanese and Korean sources also suggest that Pak Seung-jin was sent to the Yodok concentration camp for 12 years on charges of espionage. This alleged punishment was reportedly linked to the purge of the Kapsan Faction, which had supported the football team.
However, these allegations are contradicted by a documentary film titled The Game of Their Lives, released in 2002. In the film, Pak Seung-jin and other surviving members of the 1966 team were interviewed, and they explicitly denied that any retribution or imprisonment had occurred. The Korean source further notes that when Pak Seung-jin appeared in this documentary, he was depicted as a high-ranking official adorned with many medals, which made it difficult for some to reconcile with the claims of his imprisonment. The conflicting narratives highlight the challenges in verifying information from North Korea and underscore ongoing international concerns regarding human rights in the country.
6. Death
Pak Seung-jin passed away on August 5, 2011, at the age of 70.
7. Legacy and impact
Pak Seung-jin's achievements left a lasting impact on North Korean and Asian football history. As the captain of the North Korean team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, he played a crucial role in one of the most surprising runs in World Cup history. His goal against Chile marked a significant milestone as the first World Cup goal scored by an Asian player, paving the way for future Asian participation and success in the tournament. The team's performance, including Pak's contributions, inspired a generation of footballers in North Korea and beyond. His story, including the controversies surrounding his post-World Cup life, continues to be a subject of interest, reflecting the broader historical and political context of North Korea. His appearance in the documentary The Game of Their Lives helped bring his story to a wider international audience.