Son Heung-min’s foot injury continues to cast a shadow over South Korea’s World Cup qualifying campaign, with manager Hong Myung-bo confirming that his captain is “not 100%” fit and that “it’s not the right time to risk him.” As a precaution, Hong has called up 22-year-old Stoke City midfielder Bae Jun-ho to bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming clash with Kuwait.

Fresh from their 2-0 win over Iraq in Basra — a result that secured an 11th consecutive World Cup qualification for South Korea, an Asian record — the team returned to Incheon International Airport on Thursday. But Son’s absence from the matchday squad in Iraq and lingering foot injury overshadowed the celebrations.

Hong acknowledged the issue. “His foot is not 100%,” he said. “He could force himself to play 20 or 30 minutes, but it’s not advisable. The season is over, and he’s already had to manage this injury. We’ll evaluate things again in the next couple of days, but right now, it’s not the time for him to push himself.”

Son, who led South Korea to qualification glory, may be rested again — or see limited minutes — when they face Kuwait at Seoul World Cup Stadium on June 10. Despite his absence against Iraq, Hong praised Son’s off-the-pitch leadership. “Even though he didn’t play, he was invaluable to the team. He motivated the others, and the players responded well,” he said. “He’s played an important role in and out of the dressing room.”

In preparation for the Kuwait match, Hong has drafted Bae Jun-ho into the senior side from the U-22 squad. The Korea Football Association announced the call-up on Friday, citing Moon Seon-min’s and Park Yong-woo’s suspensions as key factors in the decision.

Hong sees the match as an opportunity to test young talent. “This is the perfect moment to give younger players a chance,” he explained. “Whether it’s the defence or the attack, we need to see how they respond to the big stage. The coaching staff will meet to decide how we approach this, but from now on, everything is focused on the World Cup.”

Bae Jun-ho’s inclusion reflects Hong’s commitment to refreshing the squad ahead of the East Asian Cup in July and the autumn A-match window. Although Bae, along with Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City) and Yang Min-hyuk (Tottenham), had initially been left out of the June A-match squad due to their fitness and club schedules, Hong now sees him as a crucial addition.

Bae will report to the National Football Centre in Paju on Saturday afternoon as South Korea resumes training. The Kuwait fixture is shaping up to be the perfect test for the next generation of Taegeuk Warriors.