DPRK footballer Jong Tae-se transfers to K-League

SEOUL - Jong Tae-se, who represented the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the 2010 World Cup, vowed on Thursday to help his new team win the K-League championship after he finalized his move to a South Korean club, the Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Jong Tae-se, striker of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) national soccer team, gestures as he wears his new uniform during a news conference for his joining Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Seoul in this picture taken by Yonhap, Jan 10, 2013. Jong was born in Japan but has always been proud of his DPRK heritage. [Photo/Agencies]

The 27-year-old striker signed a three-year contract with the Suwon, completing his transfer from FC Koln in the second-division German league.

Yonhap news agency said his annual salary would be around 300 million won ($282,900).

"I feel honored to join this big club with a rich tradition. I would like to share my experience of having played football in Germany with the Suwon and will do my best to win the championship this season," Jong told a press conference held in central Seoul.

Jong said his goal was to score 15 goals to keep his word.

Jong was born and raised in Japan to parents, one from each side of the two Koreas. He, however, holds a DPRK passport.

He made his professional debut with Kawasaki Frontale in Japan's J-League in 2006.

He will be the second DPRK athlete to play for the Suwon after An Yong-hak, another Japanese-born player and who played for the club from 2008 to 2009.

Jong is also the fourth DPRK player to compete in the K-League.

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