By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Kwak Tae-hwi of Chunnam Dragons and Kim Do-heon of Suwon BlueWings have rejoined the national team after a long absence.
South Korean manager Huh Jung-moo announced the 25-member roster for the upcoming European friendlies Monday and Kwak, an offensive-minded defender, and Kim, a former English Premier Leaguer, were named to the team.
Alongside them, 11 foreign players, including Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Chung-yong of Bolton Wanderers and Park Chu-young of AS Monaco were also named.
The East Asians are currently enjoying a 26-game undefeated streak and will play the Danish national team in Esbjerg, Denmark on Nov. 14 and meet Serbia in London on Nov. 18.
The 28-year-old Kwak showed off his scoring touch with three goals in seven international caps, but knee surgery had ruled him out of the squad since he last played in a World Cup qualifier against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Oct. 15, 2008.
"Kwak has recently recovered from injury. Although he did not play in the Dragons' final game yesterday, he does not have any health issues now,'' Huh said in a press conference after announcing his selections in Seoul.
"We need a competitive footballer who has size and strength against European countries at the World Cup, and that is why I picked him.''
The six-year pro stands 1.85 meters tall and weighs 80 kilograms.
Kim, 27, who returned to the K-League in July from West Bromwich Albion, proved that he still has some fuel left in his tank, notching four goals and as many assists in 12 matches.
The midfielder has appeared in 52 matches and netted 11 goals on the international stage, including a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan in June last year.
"Since Kim came back to Suwon, he has provided solid performances and improved in stamina,'' Huh said of Kim, who last played in September, 2008 in the World Cup qualifying.
Jeonbuk Motor striker Lee Dong-gook, the league's leading scorer with 20 goals, and defender Cha Du-ri of SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, have maintained their spots on the team.
The players from the K-League will gather Monday at the National Football Center (NFC) and foreign league players will join the team there later.