I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year

Jul 09, 2025

I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
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I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
Source=Lee Young-jik Instagram
I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
Cross ligament injury suffered 9 days after transfer, season out accordingly. However, North Korean national midfielder Lee Young-jik (34, Busan) vowed to return to the ground.

On the 8th, Lee Young-jik opened his personal Instagram account and directly reported the injury situation, saying, `The anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament ruptured in the match against Gimpo, and cannot return this year.'

Lee Young-jik, who came to Busan from Anyang on a trade with Lim Min-hyuk on June 27, was replaced by Son Hwi in the 31st minute of the first half due to an unexpected injury in the 19th round of the K League 2 against Gimpo on the 6th, his second game since transfer. Earlier, he was pushed by Gimpo midfielder Choi Jae-hoon and cleared the ball while losing his balance, and then injured his right knee during the landing process. Immediately sensing that it was a major injury, Lee expressed despair with his face covered with his uniform like Bayern Munich striker Jamal Musiala, who injured his ankle in the FIFA Club World Cup Paris Saint-Germain match in 2025.




Initially, he was expected to be absent for about a month because he thought only the inner ligament would have been damaged, but after a detailed diagnosis at the hospital, he received the same news as Cheongcheonjeoksaeng that both the cruciate ligament and the inner ligament were damaged. It is expected to take about eight months to return, and long-term absence is inevitable not only this season but also early next season.

Lee Young-jik, who is the first player to suffer a major injury in his career, was shocked, but he first expressed his regret to the Busan club and fans who had a relationship with him on loan. Busan ambitiously recruited Ri Young-jik, a proven defensive midfielder, to be promoted to the K League 1, but in conclusion, only Lim Min-hyuk was sent on loan.

Lee Young-jik apologizes to everyone involved in Busan I-Park. As a player, I'm so sorry that I can't help the team and I'm so angry, I'm honest."




I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
I can't retire like this Lee Young-jik, who was out for 8 months due to a cruciate ligament injury, will start rehabilitation of tears → pledge to return next year
photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association
He reportedly conveyed his intention to the club that he wanted to stay in Busan for rehabilitation after surgery and support the Busan squad on the side. "I wish I could help the team in any way," he said. I'm trying to convey my experience to a young player."

Lee, who will turn 35 next year, clearly drew the line on his retirement despite his major injury. He "Retiring in this form is regrettable. I don't want to leave any regrets. "It's a long road, but I'll definitely come back. We look forward to your continued cooperation."

Born and raised in Japan, Lee Young-jik has been on the Japanese stage for nearly 10 years, including Tokushima Bortis, V-Baren Nagasaki, Kamatamare Sanuki, Tokyo Verdi, FC Ryukyu, and Iwate Gruza Morioka, before joining the K-League in 2024. Lee Young-jik, who led Anyang's first promotion to the first division in the first season with tough pressure and stable ball distribution from his solid body (1m89), played 14 games in K League 1 this season and played two games in the match against Gimpo after his transfer.




Ri played 23 A matches for North Korea for five years from 2014 to 2019.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.