How many international goals has Son Heung-min scored for South Korea?

Son Heung-min has scored 59 international goals for South Korea. He reached the total with a sixth-minute free kick against Uzbekistan at Yongin Mireu Stadium.

When did Son Heung-min surpass Cha Bum-kun as Korea’s leading male scorer?

Son surpassed Cha Bum-kun on Tuesday in a friendly against Uzbekistan. His goal came two matches after he had tied Cha with a goal against Uruguay the previous Monday.

What other South Korean national-team record does Son Heung-min hold?

Son is South Korea’s most-capped male international player, with 151 appearances. He made his national-team debut against Syria on Dec. 30, 2010.

Son Heung-min becomes all-time Korean men's goals leader

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Summary

Son Heung-min became Korea’s all-time leading male international scorer Tuesday by scoring a free kick against Uzbekistan at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin. The sixth-minute goal was his 59th for South Korea, moving him past former striker Cha Bum-kun. Son also holds Korea’s men’s record for international appearances, with 151 caps.

Key Facts

Son drew level with Cha Bum-kun by scoring against Uruguay the previous Monday before taking the outright record two matches later.
Son made his South Korea debut against Syria on Dec. 30, 2010, and scored his first international goal against India at the 2011 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.
Son has represented South Korea at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 Asian Cups.
Ji So-yun is Korea’s all-time leading scorer across the men’s and women’s national teams, with 76 goals in 182 appearances.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 6, 2026 9:28 pm KST

Son Heung-min pases a ball during Korea's friendly football match against Uzbekistan at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

Son Heung-min became the all-time male goals leader in Korean football Tuesday, netting his 59th marker in a friendly against Uzbekistan.

Son scored a free kick goal in the sixth minute at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul.

Son, 34, broke a tie with former striker Cha Bum-kun. Son drew level with Cha with a goal against Uruguay last Monday and needed just two more matches to become the new record holder.

Son is already the most-capped male player with 151 appearances.

Son made his international debut on Dec. 30, 2010, against Syria, and scored his first goal against India on Jan. 18, 2011, during the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup.

He has represented South Korea at FIFA World Cups in 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026, and has also played at the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 Asian Cups.

Ji So-yun, a longtime women's national team star, is Korea's all-time leader with 76 goals in 182 appearances.

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