FIFA announced the list of officials to take part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023 on Monday, with a record five Korean referees to officiate at the world finals: referees Oh Hyeonjeong (35) and Kim Yujeong (34), as well as lineswomen Kim Kyoungmin (43), Lee Seulgi (43) and Park Misuk (40).

This would be the first time for no fewer than five Korean women to participate in the showpiece event, where top-class officials from all around the world take part to oversee the tournament. Korea Republic had previously sent two referees at the same time on three occasions – Lim Eunjoo and Choi Soojin in 2003, Cha Seongmi and Kim Kyoungmin in 2011, and then Kim Kyoungmin and Lee Seulgi in 2019.

The number of Korean officials at these finals accounts for joint second alongside Canada, one adrift of the United States with six officials: five on-field officials and a VAR. The five Canadian officials include three on-field officials, whereas co-hosts Australia has four and powerhouse Japan has three officials on board.

Meanwhile, a total of 107 officials will take part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, including 33 referees, 56 lineswomen and 18 VARs. The participants will attend the refereeing seminar hosted by FIFA from 30 January to 2 February, as they begin preparations for the world finals.

Oh Hyeonjeong will take part in her second FIFA tournament after her debut at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2016. Having won the KFA Women’s Referee of the Year award in the following year, she was named Women’s Special Referee for four consecutive years since 2019. She is also a fixture in a television show called ‘Goal-scoring Girls’ as a referee for the women’s football games.

Kim Yujeong took part in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica last year, ahead of her debut on the senior world finals. She won the KFA Women’s Referee of the Year award in 2019, before refereeing in the final of the Algarve Cup last year.

Kim Kyoungmin will take part in her fifth Women’s World Cup in a row since China 2007, to become the first ever person – including male and female players, coaches and referees – to participate in the world finals five times. She also officiates in the K League 2 matches.

Lee Seulgi will participate in her second world finals following France 2019, having established her international career over seven FIFA tournaments including the U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups.

Park Misuk is currently officiating in the Australian A-League, and set to make her debut at the senior world finals this summer. She also took part in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica last year.