Park Hang-seo, mocked as “Kimchi Man”: “I couldn’t stand the abuse and appearance-based insults, including calling a player a ‘monkey’”

[Financial News] Park Hang-seo’s camp, in response to Thai spectators’ racist taunts calling him “Kimchi Man,” said that there had also been persistent verbal abuse and racist language directed at a player. Park coaches Kanchanaburi Power FC in Thailand’s second-tier professional league.
According to Yonhap News and other outlets on the 6th, DJ Management, Park’s management agency, said that Park and Baggio had submitted a formal explanation to the Football Association of Thailand.
It added that Park had protested to a spectator over the continued verbal abuse and appearance-based insults directed at Madagascar-born midfielder John Baggio, and said the spectator had also used the racist term “monkey.”
It further said, “Park stated in the explanation that he had directly witnessed the insulting behavior directed at the player and had protested to the spectator to make it stop,” adding, “He sought to fulfill his responsibility as a coach to protect the player.”
On the 1st, after a 2-2 draw in an away match against Pattaya United in the ninth round of the 2026-27 Thai League 2 season at Nong Prue Stadium in Thailand, Park clashed with a man who appeared to be an opposing fan as he headed to the locker room. The man mocked Park as “Kimchi Man” and also disparaged Baggio’s appearance.
Using an insult involving kimchi, one of Korea’s signature foods, to mock Koreans is considered a classic act of racism.
At first, Park put a finger to his lips and gestured for the man to be quiet. But when the mockery continued, he shouted at the man while gesturing for him to “come down here.” Club officials and others restrained Park, preventing the incident from escalating into a physical altercation.
After the match, Kanchanaburi issued a statement saying, “Everyone is valuable and deserves respect, no matter who we are, where we come from, what color our skin is, or what we eat,” and adding, “We will actively join the anti-racism movement.”
[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter