ugh, guys, I started posting updates because nobody really follows NK football and the guy is geniunely exciting (the same would be if he was south korean, it's just that in that case someone else would be posting updates here !). Really wish we can move on. And just to be clear, I think debating even on sensitive issues is more than fine. Just wish it was done in another thread.
The politics aside, I think you should realize "Serie A" Han Kwang-Song is not on same level as "K2" Lee Jeong-hyeop and any comparisons to KNT senior players are premature, good comparison is to "Barcelona new Messi" Lee Seung Woo, both Han and LSW have potential but without considerable further development neither of them reach even K-League level or North Korean national team level. Han is a 18 year old kid that has just signed a youth contract of 1500 euro/month (and pair of jeans as a bonus clause, see http://www.calcionews24.com/kwang-song-han-cagliari-jeans-premio-contratto-futuro). Not fighting for top spots or against relegation it is a perfect moment for Cagliari to reward his good performance during first team training sessions in these final rounds but it would be a surprise if he was still in senior team's playing lineup when new season starts next August.
Yeah, I agree. We started to get lost. Let's focus on Han's performances. As always, I respect all the points of view. Since we have different roots, It explains why we perceive this matter differently. I am okay with that.
North and South Korea have a singular premodern history, and is only differentiated by its post-WW2 contemporary history (< 70 years). Although the differences between the two Koreas have increased in recent decades relative to the unified era, the two nations and its citizens share an affinity unlike any other. Not to mention that families are still divided by the 38th parallel to this day, and both Koreas continuously hold unification dear to heart, regardless of its plausibility. Therefore, being North Korean is not "way different" from being South Korean, contrary to what you contend; they are a similar people, with similar (same) roots, with a similar goal, divided by circumstance, and the differences between the two are wholly corollaries of that circumstance. You're not understanding the essence of what I'm trying to inform you of, and continue to dispute unrelated facts. I have never argued that North Koreans are SouthKorean diaspora because they aren't. Rather, I have agreed that the North Koreans are citizens of an autonomous nation, however are regarded as South Korean nationals by the South Korean government. North and South Korea are a unique case in the world, and are not comparable to the political standings of any other country. To make it clearer for you, from a ROK perspective, DPRK citizens are simply "Koreans" who live under the DPRK regime, which ROK regards as illegitimate. Therefore all DPRK citizens are eligible ROK citizens after proper processes. Hence, DPRK citizens are not diaspora like I am (Korean-American), but rather Koreans taken "hostage" by a communist regime. North Koreans probably view it the other way around too. Also, I'm not comparing Auba to DPRK players for similarity, but rather contrasting them to downplay the negative responses. No one is arguing against the logic of Han playing for the DPRK, that is only natural. Killaorca was merely wishing and speculating what it would be like for him to play for the ROK, and frankly your initial response was the only illogical and incongruous thing in the flow of this discussion.
Just my 2 cents, but I strongly disagree with this view. I don't know Lee Jeong hyeop so won't comment on any comparisons. But I certainly can comment with Lee Seung Woo: Lee looks a hotter prospect on paper - and in my opinion - but for now he doesn't even play with the big guys. Han does - and he does, after coming out of nowhere, not after spending years in Cagliari's youth. And that's not a small difference. I fully expect Han to be called up to the NT soon, btw. The reason as to why he has a youth contract is because Cagliari can't sign a non-UE player right now. They can solve the extra-UE slots problem by having a youth contract for him, which will be valid until his 19th birthday. And if you think that it will be a surprise to see him in the first team next year, then you're in for a surprise. He's the real deal. Remember, there was absolutely no reason to put him in the first team and not some other youngsters.
aaand talk about timing. Officially becoming pro in july, signed until 2022. ✍🏼 Kwang Song #Han in rossoblù sino al 2022 🔴🔵➤ https://t.co/3GU3qjA6gE pic.twitter.com/S0wHUlj56B— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) April 13, 2017
the unfortunate this is he is always consistently baby sat by a North Korean supervisor. Not that he will do anything that is considered illegal, b/c that will result in the punishment for up to 3 generations of his family. And that his pay will go to the government.
It's a well-known fact that as long as an individual is not a Zainichi and working abroad, their wages will be siphoned to the regime. Can't find anything specific on him but just google North Korean workers abroad.
Hmm. I did knew about the supervisor but i highly doubt that all his wage will go to the govt. I guess it's possible that a part might, but in that case it still has to be done real shady. Keep in mind that his agent is italian too.
I understand your doubts but that's how the regime works. He might have an Italian agent but the regime also knows how much he gets paid. I imagine the rest of his family is in Pyongyang (the city of his birth) so their well-being rests on his cooperation. He lives a better life than 99.9% of the North Koreans in Pyongyang anyway so I assume it can't be all that bad for him.
I don't think there would be a willingness from the club and the agent to cooperate on the basis that all his wage goes to the government honestly. A cut of it seems much more likely. Still sad, I agree with that. But I also share what you said in your last sentence...
Han Kwang-song subbed in at the 69th min today in Cagliari's 2-1 win over AC Milan. Scored a goal against Donnarumma, but it was counted offside.