1. Early Life and Education
Park Kun was born on July 11, 1990, in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. He stands at 73 in (185 cm) tall and weighs 170 lb (77 kg), and is right-footed.
1.1. Youth Career
Park Kun's football journey began during his elementary school years at Gwanghui Elementary School (광희초등학교Gwanghui ChodeunghakgyoKorean). He continued his development at Hanyang Middle School (한양중학교Hanyang JunghakgyoKorean). For his high school education and football training, he attended Yeongdeungpo Technical High School (영등포공업고등학교Yeongdeungpo Gongeop GodeunghakgyoKorean) from 2006 to 2008. Subsequently, he played for Suwon University (수원대학교Suwon DaehakgyoKorean) from 2009 to 2012, where he honed his skills before turning professional.
2. Club Career
Park Kun's professional career spans both the Japanese J.League and the South Korean K League, marked by several transfers and a period of mandatory military service.
2.1. J.League Career
Park Kun began his professional career in Japan, joining Avispa Fukuoka of the J2 League on January 9, 2013, after graduating from Suwon University. In his debut season with Avispa Fukuoka in 2013, he quickly established himself as a regular starter, making 31 appearances. He scored his professional debut goal in 2014 during the 34th round of the J2 League against Kataller Toyama on September 28.
In June 2015, he made a complete transfer to AC Nagano Parceiro, a club in the J3 League. He continued to play in Japan until June 27, 2016, when he was loaned to Thespakusatsu Gunma. This move was made permanent on December 27 of the same year. He remained with Thespakusatsu Gunma through the 2017 season. His time in Japan concluded at the end of the 2017 season when he decided to return to South Korea, citing reasons related to visa issues that would only allow him to play in his home country.
2.2. K League Career
Following his stint in Japan, Park Kun returned to South Korea, joining K League 2 side Bucheon FC 1995 on December 20, 2017. He played for Bucheon until 2021, though his time there was interrupted by mandatory military service.
After completing his military service, he officially rejoined Bucheon FC 1995 in November 2021. For the 2022 season, Park Kun transferred to Pohang Steelers in K League 1 as part of a trade involving Oh Jae-hyeok. He continued his career in the K League, playing for Chungbuk Cheongju FC during the 2023 season.
2.3. Military Service
Like all eligible South Korean males, Park Kun fulfilled his mandatory military service. During this period, he served as a social service agent (사회복무요원Sahoe Bokmu-yowonKorean). To continue his football activities while serving, he was loaned to clubs in the K4 League. In 2020, he played for Paju Citizen FC. The following year, in 2021, he changed his affiliation to Yangpyeong FC, also in the K4 League, while continuing his service. He completed his military duty in November 2021 and subsequently returned to his parent club, Bucheon FC 1995.
3. Career Statistics
As of January 1, 2024, Park Kun's professional career statistics are as follows:
| Club performance | League | Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | Total | |||||
| 2013 | Avispa Fukuoka | J2 League | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| 2014 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | |||
| AC Nagano Parceiro | J3 League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| Thespakusatsu Gunma | J2 League | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2017 | Thespakusatsu Gunma | J2 League | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| South Korea | League | Korean FA Cup | Total | |||||
| 2018 | Bucheon FC 1995 | K League 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | Paju Citizen FC (loan) | K4 League | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| 2021 | Yangpyeong FC (loan) | K4 League | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2021 | Bucheon FC 1995 (return) | K League 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 2022 | Pohang Steelers | K League 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Chungbuk Cheongju FC | K League 2 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Career total | 225 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 228 | 4 | ||
Park Kun's J.League debut was on March 17, 2013, during the J2 League's third round match against Kyoto Sanga FC at Level-5 Stadium. His first goal in the J.League came on September 28, 2014, in a J2 League match against Kataller Toyama at Toyama Athletic Recreation Park Stadium.
4. International Career
Park Kun has been considered for national team duties at the youth and Olympic levels for South Korea. In 2011, he was a candidate for the Universiade South Korea national team. He was also a candidate for the South Korea U-23 national team in the same year.
5. See also
- List of J.League foreign players
- Avispa Fukuoka
- AC Nagano Parceiro
- Thespakusatsu Gunma
- Bucheon FC 1995
- Pohang Steelers
- Chungbuk Cheongju FC
6. External links
- [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX04/?player_id=1013444 J.League Player Data Site]
- [http://www.thespa.co.jp/game/2017/player/20_kun_park/ Profile at Thespakusatsu Gunma]