The KFA has confirmed on Tuesday that the women’s U-20 national team will be coached by Hwang Insun, who is currently the assistant coach of women’s senior national team. This is the first time that a female coach has taken charge of any national team at any level, although there have been a few female coaches in school teams or semi-pro clubs.

Under Hwang’s guidance, the women’s U-20 national team will take part in the 2022 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica next summer. Having qualified for the world finals by finishing third at the AFC Women’s U-19 Championship in 2019, Korea Republic have won the rights to participate in the 2022 edition following the cancellation of the tournament proper last year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Kim Pangon, the Head of KFA’s National Teams Committee, stated: “Coach Hwang Insun has shown outstanding performances as the assistant coach of national teams at various age levels, and has rich experience in international competitions as well as vast information on the players who she has worked with. She also aims to dominate the game by pressing the opposition and playing positive football, which is exactly what we want to achieve with the national team.”

During an illustrious playing career with Wirye Information Industry High School, Ulsan College, Incheon Hyundai Steel and Seoul City, Hwang represented Korea Republic for a decade culminating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003. She also scored the crucial winner against Japan in the third place match of the 2003 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, firing her country into the world finals for the first time.

After hanging up her boots, Hwang began her coaching career as assistant coach of Seoul City in 2007. She was amongst the coaching staff of the Korea Republic side that finished third at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Germany 2010. She held the assistant position in women’s national teams at various age levels, before taking reins of the senior side as interim coach following Yoon Dukyeo’s departure in 2019. Under her guidance, the Taegeuk Nangja held the United States to a 1-1 draw on the road.

Hwang has worked as the assistant coach to Colin Bell, since the Englishman took charge of the women’s national team at the end of 2019. She is one of the few female coaches with the P Licenses.

Kim said: “I hope the appointment of coach Hwang Insun will be a turning point for female coaches to be given the opportunities to lead women’s national teams at various age levels. We will continue our efforts in accordance with KFA’s policies to promote and recruit female coaches for the women’s game.”