(LEAD) Yang Hyun-jun to return to Korea squad ahead of World Cup | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: UPDATES with quote from Hong, more details of squad list in paras 6-9; ADDS photos) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has been recalled to South Korea's national football team after nine months, earning a late chance to play in the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America. Hong Myung-bo, head coach of South Korea's national football team, attends a press conference at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 16, 2026, to announce the squad for upcoming away friendlies in Europe. (Yonhap) Yang last joined the national team during the final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. Originally playing as a winger on either side, the 23-year-old has drawn attention for his versatility, excelling as a right wing-back and full-back for his club, a role that could perfectly fit Hong's preferred three-man defensive system. "Yang Hyun-jun is in much better form than before," Hong told reporters at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul. "I believe a player who scored multiple goals is full of confidence. In this file photo, Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea reacts after scoring the team's second goal over Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the second half of an international friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2025.

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OK
(ATTN: UPDATES with quote from Hong, more details of squad list in paras 6-9; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has been recalled to South Korea's national football team after nine months, earning a late chance to play in the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.
Head coach Hong Myung-bo on Monday named Yang to a 27-man squad for friendly matches against Cote d'Ivoire and Austria later this month, just three months before the tournament kicks off.
The Taeguk Warriors will face
Cote d'Ivoire
on March 28 in Milton Keynes, England, before taking on Austria in Vienna on April 1.
Hong Myung-bo, head coach of South Korea's national football team, attends a press conference at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 16, 2026, to announce the squad for upcoming away friendlies in Europe. (Yonhap)
Yang last joined the national team during the final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. He earned his chance after scoring six goals for Celtic since December, including multiple goals the previous day.
Originally playing as a winger on either side, the 23-year-old has drawn attention for his versatility, excelling as a right wing-back and full-back for his club, a role that could perfectly fit Hong's preferred three-man defensive system.
"Yang Hyun-jun is in much better form than before," Hong told reporters at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul. "I believe a player who scored multiple goals is full of confidence. He definitely belongs in the squad, and his arrival could shift our structure on the right side."
Belgium-based midfielder Hong Hyun-seok also returns after more than one year and four months, while Yang Min-hyeok of Coventry was left out after limited club appearances.
Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun (C) (Yonhap)
The latest selection features four changes from November's list with Yang Hyun-jun, Hong Hyun-seok, Kim Ju-sung (Hiroshima) and Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) replacing Yang Min-hyeok, Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Myung-jae (Daejeon) and Won Du-jae (Khor Fakkan).
Striker Oh Hyeon-gyu, who has netted in three consecutive matches since joining the Turkish football club Besiktas last month, was also included, while overseas mainstays Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) and Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) retained their places. Oh shares the national team's top scoring record with six goals alongside captain Son.
The squad will depart for Europe next Monday, while foreign-based players, including Son, are expected to join in Milton Keynes.
In this file photo, Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea reacts after scoring the team's second goal over Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the second half of an international friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2025. South Korea won the match 2-0. (Yonhap)
(END)
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(LEAD) Yang Hyun-jun to return to Korea squad ahead of World Cup

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea end 2025 at No. 22 in FIFA rankings Keywords #national team #friendly match #football Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- The Taeguk Warriors will face Cote d'Ivoire on March 28 in Milton Keynes, England, before taking on Austria in Vienna on April 1.
- Originally playing as a winger on either side, the 23-year-old has drawn attention for his versatility, excelling as a right wing-back and full-back for his club, a role that could perfectly fit Hong's preferred three-man defensive system. "Yang Hyun-jun is in much better form than before," Hong told reporters at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, 90 kilometers south of Seoul. "I believe a player who scored multiple goals is full of confidence.
- He definitely belongs in the squad, and his arrival could shift our structure on the right side." Belgium-based midfielder Hong Hyun-seok also returns after more than one year and four months, while Yang Min-hyeok of Coventry was left out after limited club appearances.
- The squad will depart for Europe next Monday, while foreign-based players, including Son, are expected to join in Milton Keynes.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, yang, hyun topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 780.