South Korean international Kim Jin-kyu was interviewed by Korean media outlet kmib, where he discussed the World Cup.
"Football is an endless game. Whether I play for one minute or ten minutes, I will do my best to help the team."
"The year leading up to the Qatar World Cup and the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup was pretty much the same, but because of past injuries, I prepared more thoroughly for each call-up this time, and I approached it with the mindset that I absolutely had to go to the World Cup."
"In the away game against Iraq, which was my first appearance after returning, I perfectly completed the tasks the team needed. Making a good first impression at that time was crucial."
"I believe that starting in the away games against the US and Mexico made the team believe that we would not lose to any opponent. These two games were also the first time we faced non-Asian countries since coach Hong Myung-bo took charge."
"Whether I start or come on as a substitute, I only want the team to win."
"For the first time, I felt, 'I'm so glad I chose to play football.' When I was little, I was always told to study hard, but I put all my hopes into football, and now, I'm on the World Cup stage."
"I will let these accumulated tears of joy flow freely in the United States."