Jung Jung-suk

Jung Jung-suk (, or ; August 25, 1982 – June 26, 2011) was a South Korean women's football player who played for WK League side Daekyo Kangaroos and the South Korean national team.

Early life Jung was born in Goseong County, South Gyeongsang Province, and competed in athletics before taking up football in her first year at Ulsan Hyundai Girls' High School. After graduating from high school, she continued to play while attending Ulsan College. Jung was a key player in Daekyo's victories at domestic tournaments including the 2006 National Sports Festival and the 2007 National Women's Football Championship.

In 2008, Jung scored twice against Japanese side INAC Kobe in a friendly tournament between club teams from South Korea, Japan and China. She also led her team to victory at the 2008 Unification Cup, and the 2008 KWFF Spring Championship, scoring in the final match of the tournament, against Chungnam Ilhwa.

Jung played in the first ever WK League match, between Daekyo and Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, when the league was launched in 2009, shortly after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. As she underwent treatment for her illness, Jung was unable to play and handed over the captaincy to teammate Ryu Ji-eun. Her contract with Daekyo was due to expire in October 2009, but the club told her she would be welcome to return after treatment and recovery, whether as a player or in a different role. She played for her country at the 2002 Asian Games and the 2005 EAFF Women's Football Championship.

Jung scored six goals against Thailand in a match at the 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup, and she was awarded top scorer at the tournament with seven goals in total. She was also nominated for the 2006 AFC Women's Player of the Year award.

Death and legacy Jung was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April 2009 and underwent surgery to remove a large part of her stomach. Her father died suddenly later the same year, as her illness continued to spread.

When Cha Yun-hee scored for Daekyo in the 2012 WK League championship final, she held up her captain's armband to reveal a message written on the inside reading, "I miss you, Jung Jung-suk in heaven" in memory of her teammate.

Career statistics

Honours

Daekyo Kangaroos

National Sports Festival winner: 2006 KWFF Spring Championship winner: 2008 Unification Cup winner: 2007, 2008 National Women's Football Championship winner: 2007

South Korea Women's East Asian Cup winner: 2005

Individual

2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup top scorer (7 goals)