Darmstadt-Linked Pohang Striker Lee Ho-jae Earns First Senior Korea Call-Up for 2025 EAFF E-1 Championship

2025-06-23 Han, June

Lee Ho-Jae / K League Official

Pohang Steelers forward Lee Ho-jae, who has recently drawn transfer interest from Bundesliga 2 outfit Darmstadt 98, has received his first senior call-up to the South Korea national team ahead of this summer’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship on home soil.

The 24-year-old is among seven debutants named in Hong Myung-bo’s 23-man squad, which is composed entirely of domestic-based players and East Asia-based professionals, as the tournament does not fall within FIFA’s designated international window.

Lee’s inclusion caps a breakout year in the K League 1 with Pohang, where his physical presence, aerial ability, and clinical finishing have made him a standout performer. His performances have not only caught the eye of national selectors, but also scouts in Germany, with Darmstadt reportedly monitoring him closely ahead of the summer transfer window.

K League Core with J.League Experience

The squad features 20 K League players, one from K League 2, and three J.League-based stars, including Na Sang-ho (Machida Zelvia), who returns to the national fold for the first time in two years.

Joining Lee among the first-time call-ups are defenders Byun Jun-soo (Gwangju), Kim Tae-hyeon (Jeonbuk), Seo Myung-kwan (Ulsan), and midfielders Seo Min-woo (Gangwon) and Lee Seung-won (Gimcheon).

South Korea are set to kick off the tournament on 7 July against China at Yongin Mir Stadium, before facing Hong Kong (11 July) and arch-rivals Japan (15 July) in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive East Asian showdown.

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - NOVEMBER 28: Na Sang-Ho of Korea in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Full South Korea Men's National Team Squad – EAFF E-1 Championship 2025

Goalkeepers: Kim Dong-heon (Incheon United), Lee Chang-geun (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan HD)
Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Kim Ju-sung (FC Seoul), Kim Tae-hyeon (Kashima Antlers, JPN), Kim Tae-hyeon (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Byun Jun-soo (Gwangju FC), Seo Myung-kwan (Ulsan HD), Cho Hyun-taek (Ulsan HD), Park Seung-wook (Pohang Steelers), Lee Tae-seok (Pohang Steelers)
Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Park Jin-seop (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Jeon Jin-woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Kim Bong-soo (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Na Sang-ho (Machida Zelvia, JPN), Seo Min-woo (Gangwon FC), Moon Seon-min (FC Seoul), Lee Dong-gyeong (Gimcheon Sangmu), Lee Seung-won (Gimcheon Sangmu)
Forwards: Oh Se-hun (Machida Zelvia, JPN), Lee Ho-jae (Pohang Steelers)