1. Overview
Park Kyung-ho (박경호Korean, 朴 景浩Paku KyohoJapanese, May 20, 1930 - March 29, 2021) was a prominent South Korean football player and manager. He played as a forward for the South Korea national football team during the 1950s, notably contributing to the team's victory in the inaugural 1956 AFC Asian Cup and securing a silver medal at the 1958 Asian Games. After his playing career, which concluded in 1961, Park transitioned into coaching roles at various educational institutions, including universities and high schools. He also held significant administrative positions within South Korean football organizations, such as the Korea Football Association. Beyond his direct involvement in playing and coaching, Park Kyung-ho was a respected football commentator for KBS and an author of several books on Korean football history. His contributions extended to fostering international football relations, particularly by facilitating the entry of Korean players into the Japanese J.League and serving as a long-term technical advisor for the Japanese club Oita Trinita.
2. Personal Life
Park Kyung-ho's personal journey began in Korea under Japanese rule and saw him become a key figure in the development of football in both South Korea and Japan.
2.1. Birth and early life
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Park Kyung-ho was born on May 20, 1930, in Haeju, located in Hwanghae-do, which was part of Korea, Empire of Japan at the time. Following the liberation of Korea in 1945, he and his younger brother, Park Kyung-hwa, relocated to South Korea in 1946. He completed his secondary education at Gyeongsin Middle School.
2.2. Family
Park Kyung-ho came from a family with a strong connection to football. His younger brother, Park Kyung-hwa, also became a notable footballer and represented the South Korea national football team.
2.3. Death
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Park Kyung-ho passed away on March 29, 2021, in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, at the age of 90.
3. Playing Career
Park Kyung-ho enjoyed a distinguished career as a professional football player, making significant contributions at both club and national team levels during the 1950s.
3.1. Club career
Park Kyung-ho played at the club level for the Counter Intelligence Corps FC (CIC FC), a team that was recognized as one of the top football clubs in Korea during his tenure.
3.2. National team career
From 1954 to 1958, Park Kyung-ho was a key member of the South Korea national football team, participating in several major international tournaments and achieving notable success.
3.2.1. 1956 AFC Asian Cup
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Park Kyung-ho was an integral part of the 18-member squad that represented South Korea in the inaugural 1956 AFC Asian Cup. This historic tournament, held in Hong Kong, saw the South Korean team emerge as the champions, marking a significant milestone in the nation's football history.
3.2.2. 1958 Asian Games
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Following their Asian Cup success, Park Kyung-ho continued to play a vital role for the national team. He was part of the South Korean squad that competed in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, where the team earned a silver medal, further cementing their reputation as a leading football power in Asia.
4. Coaching and Managerial Career
After concluding his playing career, Park Kyung-ho transitioned into coaching and management, dedicating himself to nurturing new talent and contributing to the organizational aspects of football.
4.1. Coaching roles
Upon his retirement as a player in 1961 and his discharge from military service, Park Kyung-ho continued his involvement in football by enrolling in Kyung Hee University, where he took on the dual role of player and coach for the university's football team. His coaching career expanded to various educational institutions, including serving as a physical education teacher at Hanyang Technical High School. He also held managerial positions for university football teams at Konkuk University, the Korea Military Academy, and Seoul National University, where he guided and developed aspiring footballers.
4.2. Administrative and advisory roles
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Beyond direct coaching, Park Kyung-ho took on significant administrative responsibilities within the football community. He served as a director for the Korea Football Association and as a competition director for the Korea Professional Football League, contributing to the governance and development of professional football in South Korea. His influence extended internationally when he became a technical advisor for the Japanese club Oita Trinita. He joined the club in 1994, the year of its establishment, through an introduction from his acquaintance, Kazuo Imanishi, and continued in this advisory capacity until 2010.
5. Other Contributions
Park Kyung-ho's dedication to football extended beyond playing and coaching, encompassing roles in media, authorship, and facilitating international player movement, further solidifying his multifaceted impact on the sport.
5.1. Media work
Beginning in 1972, Park Kyung-ho became a prominent voice in South Korean football as a commentator for KBS. Through his insightful commentary, he shared his extensive knowledge and passion for the game with a wide audience, helping to popularize football across the nation.
5.2. Writing
Park Kyung-ho was also a prolific author and columnist, documenting the history and evolution of Korean football. Among his notable works is "100-Year Secret History of Korean Football," which he co-authored. This book was also published in Japanese under the title "Japan is the Enemy, JAPAN is a Friend: A 100-Year History of Korean Football's Resentment Against Japan," reflecting his unique perspective on the historical football rivalry and friendship between the two nations. He authored several other influential books on the subject.
5.3. Facilitating Korean players in Japan
Park Kyung-ho played a pivotal role in bridging the football communities of Korea and Japan. In 1993, he was instrumental in introducing Noh Jung-yoon to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, making Noh the first Korean player to join the newly formed J.League. His commitment to this cross-cultural exchange deepened when he moved to Japan in 1994 to serve as an advisor for Oita Trinita. In this role, he significantly contributed to increasing the club's spectator numbers and was key in bringing other Korean players and coaches, including the club's first manager Moon Jung-sik and player Hwangbo Kwan, to Oita Trinita.
6. Legacy and Impact
Park Kyung-ho's enduring legacy stems from his pioneering and multifaceted contributions that significantly shaped the landscape of football in both South Korea and Japan.
6.1. Contributions to Korean football
Park Kyung-ho is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in the history of Korean football. His career trajectory, from a successful player who helped secure South Korea's first major international title in the 1956 AFC Asian Cup, to a dedicated coach, administrator, and media personality, demonstrates his profound impact. Through his coaching roles at various educational institutions, he played a crucial part in developing future generations of footballers. His work as a KBS commentator and author further cemented his legacy by popularizing the sport and meticulously documenting its rich history in Korea.
6.2. Impact on Japanese football
Park Kyung-ho's influence extended significantly to Japanese football, particularly during the nascent stages of the J.League. His long tenure as a technical advisor for Oita Trinita from its inception in 1994 until 2010 was instrumental in the club's development and in fostering stronger ties between Korean and Japanese football. By facilitating the entry of Korean players like Noh Jung-yoon and others into the J.League, he opened new avenues for international exchange and contributed to the league's growing diversity and competitiveness. His efforts helped lay a crucial foundation for the increasing collaboration and mutual development seen in Asian football today.