Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Football coach Park Hang-seo receives CheongKwanJang red ginseng
Vietnam's national football team Head Coach Park Hang-seo, center, with Vietnamese U-23 players Nguyen Quang Hai, left, and Ha Duc Chinh hold CheongKwanJang's Red Ginseng Extract Everytime products in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Dec. 18. / Courtesy of KGC
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC) presented CheongKwanJang red ginseng products to Park Hang-seo, Vietnam's national football team head coach, and the Vietnamese men's senior and under 23 (U-23) football team, the company said Sunday.
The ginseng product maker said it had decided to provide CheongKwanJang Extract Everytime ― a six-year-old Korean red ginseng extract that comes in a portable pouch ― to the team during its visit to Korea.
Earlier this month, Vietnam won its first gold medal at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Gamers. Park then brought his team to Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, for winter training here.
“We thought it'd be great to express Korea's affinity with Vietnam as well as highlight Park's love for his team's players,” a KGC official said.
Park's coaching style is often called “papa leadership” for his closeness to the players. He communicates with each player after a game. Last year, he made headlines for massaging players' feet after a game and giving up his business-class seat for injured players.
“We also considered that young players would like to give CheongKwanJang ginseng products as gifts to their parents after they return to Vietnam,” the official said.
Red ginseng products are popular in Vietnam as much as in China. It is easy to spot red ginseng products at supermarkets. Ginseng can be seen at discount chains.
According to many research studies, red ginseng's main remedial effects include strengthening the immune system, stamina and circulation. Ginseng's saponin component is known to invigorate the body.
Park's agency DJ Management thanked CheongKwanJang for providing the products.
“Park and the players were surprised and delighted by the thoughtful gifts,” an official said.