Park Ji-sung has asked Manchester United fans to stop singing a song which contains a racial stereotype about South Korea.
United supporters began singing a chant which included a lyric about Koreans allegedly eating dog meat when Park played for the club between 2005 and 2012. The song is intended to pay tribute to Park, but in his own words, contains "discomforting" lyrics.
The former midfielder has now explained that while he knew fans were not trying to be offensive, the stereotype is used as a racial insult towards his people.
This has come to the fore again after United fans sang the chant while Wolves' new South Korean signing Hwang Hee-chan was being unveiled at Molineux.
Speaking to the official UTD Podcast, Park said: “I’m really sorry for him to hear that.
“I know that United fans don’t mean any offence to him for that song but still I have to educate the fans to stop that word [dog meat], which is usually these days a racial insult to the Korean people.
“That particular word is very discomforting for Korean people, and I really feel very sorry for the younger players who heard that kind of song.
“In Korea, things have changed a lot. It is true that historically we have eaten dog meat but these days, particularly the younger generation, they really hate it. The culture has changed.
“I really request the fans to stop singing that word. It causes discomfort to Korean people when they hear that song. It’s time to stop.”
A statement from United added: “Manchester United fully supports Ji-sung’s comments and urges fans to respect his wishes.”
Park played for United for seven years, winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League while at the club. He also appeared in three World Cups for South Korea, earning 100 caps for the nation.
(Photo: Guan Yunan/Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Man Utd: Park Ji-sung asks fans to stop singing racist song - The Athletic
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