Photo: Werner100359 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in South Korea · Nationality South Korean — Sport / football

Kim Min-jae

Documented profile covering 3 controversies, including “Public criticism of Beijing Guoan teammates sparks outrage in China” and “Controversy over national team commitment and brief social media dispute with Son Heung-min”.

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Profile No. 0378 · Updated on 12 October 2026

3Documented controversies

6Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2024-09

Confrontation with supporters after draw against Palestine and apology for behaviour

No legal proceedings

Following South Korea's draw with Palestine in September 2024, which was marked by booing directed at manager Hong Myung-bo and the KFA, Kim approached the stands to ask supporters to calm down. After the final whistle, he did not participate in the collective salute and stared at the supporters, prompting renewed controversy. A few days later, he defended his right to express his opinion while acknowledging that his post-match behaviour had been inappropriate and apologising.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
YonhapS. Korea defender Kim Min-jae apologizes for action after recent World Cup qualifierMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YonhapS. Korean players not pleased with fans' booing of coach at World Cup qualifierMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2023-03/04

Controversy over national team commitment and brief social media dispute with Son Heung-min

No legal proceedings

Following a match against Uruguay in March 2023, Kim said that he was mentally exhausted and wanted to focus on his club, prompting speculation about international retirement. He then briefly unfollowed and blocked captain Son Heung-min on social media after a post by the latter. Kim quickly clarified that he did not want to leave the national team and apologised to Son, explaining that he had mistakenly believed the message was directed at him.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
YonhapNat'l football coach Klinsmann says key defender 'all focused again' after tough stretchMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YonhapKlinsmann to sit down with defender to discuss nat'l team futureMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2020-05

Public criticism of Beijing Guoan teammates sparks outrage in China

No legal proceedings

During a South Korean television programme in 2020, Kim Min-jae publicly criticised certain Beijing Guoan teammates, particularly the defensive abilities of his partner Yu Dabao and the work of a full-back whom he said he had to cover for. His remarks, translated and circulated in China, prompted a strong reaction from supporters and commentators calling for him to apologise or leave.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
South China Morning PostBeijing Guoan’s Kim Min-jae told to ‘apologise or leave’ for criticising China teammatesMediaHigh reliability
[2]
South China Morning PostThe East Stand | Kim Min-jae outrage shows Chinese football’s thin skinMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Son Heung-min1 documented reference
- Controversy over national team commitment and brief social media dispute with Son Heung-min Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.