Lee Seung-woo, the dynamic midfielder for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, has broken his silence regarding a contentious incident during a recent match against Ulsan HD. The highly anticipated clash, part of the Hana Oneq K League 1 2026 season, took place on May 25th at the Gimcheon Stadium. While the game itself garnered significant attention, the spotlight intensely focused on Lee Seung-woo following an altercation during the second half.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The controversy erupted in the 70th minute of the match when Lee Seung-woo, who had started the game, fell near the half-line after a challenge from Ulsan’s Su-min. The Jeonbuk player appeared to be in significant pain, clutching his right shoulder, and required extensive on-field treatment. Play was halted for approximately six minutes as Lee received medical attention before being substituted. Upon rising to make way for the substitution, Lee expressed his frustration, seemingly directed at the Ulsan players. This reaction was met with jeers from the Ulsan supporters, to which Lee responded, further escalating the tension within the stadium.
As Lee headed towards the bench, he exchanged words with Ulsan’s head coach, Kim Do-hoon. Video footage captured the moment, showing the 26-year-old Lee, born in 1998, confronting the 67-year-old Kim, who is significantly older. Lee was heard asking, “Why, why, what did I say?” This exchange, witnessed by many, added another layer to the already charged atmosphere.
Lee Seung-woo’s Perspective on the Rivalry and Incident
Speaking ahead of Jeonbuk’s match against Gimcheon Sangmu, Lee Seung-woo offered his perspective on the events. He emphasized that the incident was a product of the intense rivalry and the heat of the moment.
The Nature of a Derby Match
“It was part of the game. It was a derby match,” Lee stated. “As I mentioned in the post-match interview, the coach is in a position to protect Ulsan, and I am a player running for Jeonbuk. Naturally, I want to win on the field. A derby requires more passion and intensity to be exciting and to help the K League thrive.”
He continued, highlighting the significance of the two clubs’ rivalry: “These are the top two teams in the K League, the leading teams. For the K League to develop and become more popular, these two teams need to perform well. I wish for derby matches to be more passionate and to generate more buzz. I just want it to be exciting.”
Respect and On-Field Intensity
Addressing the interaction with Coach Kim, Lee acknowledged the general expectation of respect between coaches and players from different teams. “Of course, it’s impossible to say who was right or wrong. Isn’t that what football is about? Everyone is running and defending for their own club. I understand that respect should be shown to coaches from other teams. However, on the field, I don’t believe I need to maintain that same level of deference to coaches from other teams,” he explained.
Lee elaborated on his mindset, stating, “I had many such thoughts before the game, and then this happened during the match. I simply reacted to the situation. It all happened within the context of the game. After the game ended, it became an issue. While it doesn’t particularly bother me, I’m unsure how the Ulsan coach feels, as he might hold onto it. For me, it happened, and it’s in the past. We both did our best for our respective teams.”
Addressing Specific Accusations
Provoking Ulsan Fans
Regarding the accusation of provoking Ulsan fans, Lee clarified his actions. “When I was leaving the field, there was jeering from the Ulsan fans. I responded to that. My hand gesture was simply a response, and that’s all there is to it. As I was leaving, the coach’s words or gestures also caught my attention. I wasn’t in a good mood, so I reacted,” he said.
Confrontation with Coach Kim Do-hoon
When asked about using profanity towards Ulsan coach Kim Do-hoon, Lee admitted to the heated nature of the exchange. “I was also agitated, so I don’t remember exactly what I said. Of course, I likely used profanity. What else would I have said in that situation? We were both agitated, and you can’t say good things in such circumstances. I don’t think I said anything positive. There was likely profanity and unpleasant words. That’s probably how it went. I don’t recall precisely, but it’s highly probable.”
Frustration Directed at Circumstances, Not the Coach
Contrary to speculation that his outburst was directed at his own coach, Lee clarified that his frustration stemmed from the game’s circumstances. “It wasn’t directed at the coach. It was about my situation on the field,” he explained. “It was the final game for coach Ji-Sung Park. I wanted to participate in the ceremony together. Just before I went on, Dong-jun Lee got injured. I had to play in a situation where I was already injured myself, and then I got hurt again. Many circumstances piled up. I had a strong desire to play more despite my shoulder injury. My frustration was about the situation, not about the coach.”
Lee concluded by reiterating his belief in the passionate nature of football, especially in derby matches. He expressed a desire for more intensity and excitement in the K League, drawing parallels to memorable derby games from his youth and the fierce competitiveness he observed in international rivalries. He believes this heightened passion is fundamental to the sport’s appeal and growth.
