JAKARTA - Former South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung urged Manchester United fans to stop singing songs that contain negative stereotypes about his country.
The 40-year-old said the song had references to Koreans eating dog meat, which caused him discomfort when he was at United.
Park made more than 200 appearances for United from 2005 to 2012, helping them win four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.
Park said he was asked to speak after hearing United fans sing the song at Molineux in August, when Wolverhampton Wanderers introduced new signing Hwang Hee-chan from South Korea.
"I know that United fans didn't mean to offend him through that song, but I have to educate the fans to stop what has recently become a racial slur to the Korean people," Park told the club's podcast. , Monday.
"Listening to the chant even 10 years later, I feel sorry for the younger ones because they have to deal with the discomfort I felt at that time.
"In Korea, many things have changed. It is true that historically we have eaten dog meat, but recently, especially the younger generation, they really don't like it. It causes discomfort to Korean people when they hear the song." added Park.
Nicknamed the "Three Lunged Park" by fans for his outstanding play, the South Korean midfielder retired in 2014 as Asia's most-awarded player with 19 trophies.
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