South Korea defender apologizes to his country's fans for hasty statement

South Korea and Napoli centre-back Min-Jae Kim has apologized to his country's fans after stirring controversy on the sidelines of an international match for the Taeguk Warriors. The 26-year-old appeared annoyed by questions from local reporters after losing 1-2 to Uruguay in Tuesday's friendly.

"I'm mentally exhausted and I just want to focus on my team at the moment and not the national team, I don't have anything extra to say," the player said. Kim's words sparked outrage in the East Asian country, prompting him to apologize today on his Instagram account: "I apologize to them and to the players who were surprised by my words."

Kim, who heads with Napoli to win the Serie A title and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, continued: "I had a minor injury and recovered from it. I played a lot of games and didn't spare myself. I broke down mentally and exploded. I apologize again and always ask for the support of the fans."

Kim has made 35 appearances for Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti this season, after moving from Fenerbahçe for 18 million euros ($19.5 million) last summer. Spalletti hailed him as "the best defender in the world", after beating Atalanta 2-0 this month.

Partenopei is working to extend his contract, which expires in 2025, especially as it provides for a penalty clause worth 45 million euros. Korea lost in Seoul to Uruguay as German coach Jürgen Klinsmann continued his faltering start.

Klinsmann, who won the 1990 World Cup with Germany, took over as South Korean coach in late February, replacing Portugal's Paulo Pinto, who resigned after the World Cup in Qatar and lost to Brazil 1-4 in the final price.