Lee Eul-yong Receives Hero’s Welcome

Lee Eul-yong (27), who became the first Korean player to join a European league after the 2002 World Cup, received a hero’s welcome in Turkey as he entered the country. Lee arrived at Trabzon Airport near the Black Sea on August 6 after flying almost 18 hours to be with the city’s club team Trabzon Sport.

When Lee made his appearance at about 0:30 in the morning, some 150 supporters of the Turk club welcome him singing the club’s rooting song and chanting his name. Wearing a big smile, Lee was carried out of the airport on the shoulder of one supporter. Some fans even followed him through the hotel.

He was also popular in Istanbul, where he stayed to change flights. Although he initially planned to stay in the airport lounge, he was asked to come out for a press interview with three to four Turk broadcasters and CNN.

During the interview, some 50 local Koreans surrounded him carrying his caricature and a banner that says “We will bring Kimchi for you.” 6 Turk Koran War veterans also joined the welcoming crowd.

Keuk-In Bae bae2150@donga.com