Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Park Ji-sung joins QPR
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Midfielder Park Ji-sung signed a two-year contract with Queens Park Rangers Monday, leaving Manchester United after spending seven years there.
The deal is potentially worth five million pounds (8.867 billion won) and QPR will pay an initial sum in the region of 2.5 million pounds for the 31-year-old.
“It was a difficult decision to leave United,” Park said. “However, QPR showed me something else other than just money. They showed me ambition, and I felt that I had to leave for a new challenge.”
Sitting with QPR manager Mark Hughes and the chairman Tony Fernandes at a media conference the 31-year-old seemed happy with his decision. He said he wants to contribute to helping his new team reach the next level.
“We are delighted Ji is going to join us because his record speaks for itself,” Hughes said on the club’s official website. “I think it is fair to say Ji has been attracted not by where QPR are, but where QPR is going. We were able to show him where we feel the club is heading and he embraced it.”
Park, the most decorated Asian footballer with four Premier League and a Champions League title among the honors he won at United, now has a new challenge to try and lift the Hoops up the table. Last year they just stayed in the top flight, finishing 17th in the Premier League, after other results on the last day of the season went in their favor.
Although the transfer to Loftus Road is far less likely to yield trophies, Park has been guaranteed first-team action and a bigger role at the London outfit by Hughes.
Before his move, the former Korea national team captain often voiced a desire to end his playing career at Old Trafford. But reduced time on the pitch and increased competition for midfielder positions affected his decision to move on.
Throughout his time at United, Park was known as an energetic player and nicknamed “Three Lungs” for his remarkable endurance. However, after several successful seasons he fell down the pecking order last season, raising speculation he would leave in the summer. Last campaign, where the 19-time league champions finished second to cross-city rivals Manchester City, Park appeared in only 17 league matches and scored just twice.
As he starts a new chapter in his career, the midfielder did not forget to leave a thank you message for the team that has made him what he is today.
“My time at United will last in my heart for the rest of my life,” Park said on the Red Devils’ official website.