According to Korean media, South Korea national team captain Son said at a press conference on the 23rd that it remains difficult to overcome the pain from the World Cup, but the entire team must leave the past behind and move forward. Son continues as captain in Roberto Moreno's first call-up as interim coach.

South Korea, led by interim coach Moreno, will face Ecuador in a friendly match at 20:00 local time on the 24th at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Starting with the Ecuador match, South Korea will play Uruguay, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan across four international windows from September to October.

Interim coach Moreno, who took the position through an open recruitment process, has begun leading the team. Moreno stated that he analyzed data from around 1,700 players and called up 12 K League players to a 30-person squad to begin a large-scale evaluation. The South Korea team gathered on the 21st and began official training for the international window.

On the 23rd, South Korea held an official pre-match press conference at the Korea Football Center in Cheonan. Captain Son attended and said: "We're in a new environment under a new coach. Nothing will be perfect. Most of the new players arrived yesterday. Tomorrow on the pitch, we will all give our best together."

This is the first meeting since Moreno took over. Son returned quickly after his club schedule and met with Moreno and his coaching staff. The captain's armband remains with Son, and he will continue his leadership role with the national team during Moreno's interim tenure.

Son commented: "He talks a lot about football with us and communicates frequently. He values competition within the team when players join the national team and makes players feel the demands of international football, which is a very positive aspect. This is just our first training session. I hope to build good understanding with him. I want to show our best side."

Regarding the pain of the last World Cup, Son acknowledged: "It's not easy to recover. Even now, thinking about the World Cup still hurts deeply. It's probably the same for everyone. But there's no point in dwelling on a past we cannot change. We need to move past it now and move forward. I think that's what a player's career is about."

What are your thoughts on the new national team?

It's a new environment, and we're playing under a new coach, so nothing will be perfect. Most of the new players arrived yesterday. Tomorrow on the pitch, we will show that we're giving everything together.

How do you feel about the team atmosphere?

I've just rejoined the team, so I haven't had much interaction yet. It's still difficult to assess the team atmosphere. Many young players have been called up. They've come with the goal of realizing their national team dreams, and I hope they continue to develop. Through today's training and tomorrow's match, we need to become more united. During this longer training camp, we need to build a strong image.

About this first meeting after the World Cup?

It's not easy to recover from the World Cup loss. Even now, thinking about the World Cup still hurts deeply. It's probably the same for everyone. But there's no point in dwelling on a past we cannot change. We need to move past it now and move forward. I think that's what a player's career is about.

What's your impression of Coach Moreno?

He talks a lot about football with us and communicates frequently. He values competition within the team when players join the national team and makes players feel the demands of international football, which is a very positive aspect. This is just our first training session. I hope to build good understanding with him. I want to show our best side.

What do you feel seeing young Korean players playing in Europe?

Seeing young players in Europe alone makes me very proud. I also experienced that kind of intense competition when I was young. They go through difficult times competing every day, and seeing that, I think they're remarkable. Because there are so many Korean players in Europe, goals and good performances seem to be taken for granted. I'm in America, so I can't watch matches live due to the time difference. So, looking up match highlights has become a new hobby of mine. As a senior player who loves football and as an ordinary person, I will support the young players.

As a veteran, what do you think the national team needs to change?

I think it needs to be shown in many aspects. If players disappointed fans at the World Cup, then it's also the players' responsibility to win back their hearts. We need to show spirit and emotion. This is important to me and equally necessary for other players. We have four international matches this time. I remember we had one during Paulo Bento's tenure, and this seems to be the first since then. I see it as an honor. To win back the fans' hearts, we need to show entertaining performances and also demonstrate quality in our play. I often discuss these things with Lee Jae-sung and others.

Relations with media were strained during the World Cup. Is there anything you'd like to say to reporters?

I'm not sure what to say. Players follow protocol and remain respectful when reporters come for interviews. Ultimately, I think everyone should respect each other. A match might be played poorly, or it might be played well. Regardless, I hope everyone can respect each other as human beings. The players probably feel the same way. I hope we won't be upset with each other, but instead work together and move in a positive direction.

About the match during Chuseok?

I'm not sure if it's ideal that the match coincides with Chuseok. I think families will make time to come to the stadium or watch the match on screen. We will play with gratitude and repay everyone with a united performance on the pitch.

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