SEOUL - South Korean football sensation Son Heung-min caused a stir when he was spotted playing a casual football match at a public park near Seoul, leading to an unexpected gathering of thousands of fans and the intervention of local police.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Tottenham Hotspur captain's surprise visit to a sports park in Yongin, just south of Seoul, quickly attracted a crowd of at least 2,000 people. The news spread like wildfire across social media, leading to a significant surge in spectators by 9:20 p.m. Friday. Police described the crowd's size as reaching a "dangerous" level, prompting the deployment of 29 police and firefighting officials to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
The excitement escalated as several fans climbed the park's fences to get a better view, while others pushed toward the stadium, trying to get closer to the football star. Social media posts highlighted the potential dangers of the situation, with many expressing fear of a possible crowd crush. In response to the escalating situation, Son ended the game earlier than planned and exited the park by 10:10 p.m.
Police officials reported, "Fortunately, no accidents occurred. We completed helping the citizens return home safely." This marks the second time Son has made an impromptu appearance in Seoul, having previously played a match at a local football arena in eastern Seoul last week.