According to Korean media reports, Jong Tae-se, who played as a striker for North Korea's national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, has openly stated that his long-term goal as a coach is to become the head coach of North Korea's national team.

Japanese media outlet Football Zone published an interview on the 13th with Jong Tae-se, who began his coaching career at Y.S.C.C. Yokohama, a lower-division Japanese league team. The headline reads, "The Ambition of a World Cup Warrior - Returning to the Big Stage as North Korea's Head Coach."

According to the report, Jong Tae-se has been coaching Y.S.C.C. Yokohama since August of this year. During his playing career, he played for clubs including Kawasaki Frontale, Shimizu S-Pulse, and Machida Zelvia, accumulating extensive experience in Japanese football. After retiring, he officially began his coaching career.

Jong Tae-se stated, "I pursue a football style centered on high pressing. In my view, the style closest to victory is Jürgen Klopp's football. Pressing in the attacking third, winning back possession, then quickly pushing forward vertically to attack—I believe this is the most realistic approach."

However, he added, "Most coaches have an ideal vision, but it's not always achievable. It would be easy if you had all top players, but if not, you have to think about how to make the best of the squad you have."

He also actively draws on his experience as a striker. Jong Tae-se said, "I was originally a striker, and my strength is my ability to score goals. The players have great potential, and I'm confident that how much they develop depends on me."

After gradually accumulating coaching experience, his primary goal is the North Korea national team.

Jong Tae-se stated, "I have a big dream—to continue gaining experience and then participate in the World Cup as the head coach of North Korea's national team."

For Jong Tae-se, the World Cup holds special meaning. He participated as a player for North Korea's national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. At that time, North Korea was placed in the "group of death" alongside Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast.

Brazil had Kaká, Portugal had Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ivory Coast had Didier Drogba. North Korea lost all three matches and was eliminated in the group stage, but Jong Tae-se directly faced some of the world's top players on the World Cup stage.

Notably, the image of Jong Tae-se shedding tears as North Korea's national anthem played before their first match against Brazil became one of the tournament's iconic moments. Sixteen years later, Jong Tae-se expressed his desire to experience it again as a head coach.

Of course, Jong Tae-se is also aware of real-world difficulties. He said, "As a North Korean living in Japan, I grew up in Japan and have lived back and forth in South Korea. It would be very difficult for someone like me to become the head coach of North Korea's national team, and I'm very aware of that."

He then laughed, "In the past, I repeatedly caused all sorts of problems, and I even obtained a South Korean passport. If someone like me became the head coach of North Korea's team, those involved might find it very ridiculous."

He stated, "What matters most is outstanding results. If I can coach a J1 team and win the championship, maybe someone will take notice of me."

Jong Tae-se is also aware that the current selection structure for North Korea's national team head coach is not easily open to external coaches. North Korea traditionally prefers to select players and coaches from military-affiliated clubs and then send them to the national team. However, he believes that the involvement of Kim Jong-song, who is also of North Korean-Japanese descent, with North Korea's national team shows the possibility of change.

Jong Tae-se emphasizes that rather than focusing on the current position of North Korea's national team, it's better to do his current job well first. He said, "When I was young as a player, I was too ambitious and suffered because it didn't match reality. Now I understand that doing my best in what's in front of me is ultimately the fastest shortcut."

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