South Korean forced into late defensive change

SEOUL- German-based defender Park Joo-ho was called up to the South Korean World Cup squad on Thursday after first choice left back Kim Jin-su was forced to drop out of the 23 because of an ongoing ankle problem.

Kim, 21, had not made enough progress in his recovery, the Korean Football Association said in a brief statement, allowing Mainz defender Park to battle Yun Suk-young of Queens Park Rangers for the starting place in Brazil.

Kim, who had become a regular under head coach Hong Myung-bo, had been pulled out of training last week after complaining of pain in his right ankle.

KFA officials said at the time it was only as a precaution and that they did not think the problem was serious.

The Koreans are also waiting on news of central defender Hong Jeong-ho, who was having an ankle problem assessed at hospital on Thursday after being forced off in the 13th minute of Wednesday's disappointing 1-0 home loss to Tunisia.