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A photo of Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in that Son posted to his Instagram page. (from @hm_son7 on Instagram)

Footballer Lee Kang-in has made a personal apology to Son Heung-min, his teammate and the captain of Korea’s national team. “I did something I should never have done,” Lee said in his humble apology.

Lee, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, also posted a written apology on his Instagram account on Wednesday. “I have seriously disappointed the entire team, including Heung-min, as well as football fans. I met with Heung-min to offer my sincere apology,” he wrote.

Lee and Son, the two standard-bearers of Korean football, have been at the heart of a conflict on the Korean national team, which lost to Jordan 0-2 in the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup on Feb. 7.  

The two got into a scuffle, with some reports claiming that Lee took a swing at Son, of Tottenham, amid circumstances that have not been definitively explained. A spokesperson for Lee has denied reports that he struck the team captain.

“My careless and thoughtless behavior at the Asian Cup has left many people very disappointed. I thought it was important for me to make a sincere apology to Heung-min in person. We had a long conversation that helped me reflect upon myself and understand the burden he bears as team captain. I’d like to use this post to thank him once again for gladly agreeing to meet me and warmly welcoming me to London,” Lee wrote in his apology.

“I knew in my head how eager Heung-min was to win this tournament, but I didn’t adequately grasp that in my heart or in my behavior. I think that’s where things began to go wrong,” Lee wrote.

“Importantly, when Heung-min gave me sincere advice as captain, veteran and teammate for the sake of the team’s unity, I didn’t listen to his advice and insisted on speaking my mind.”

Lee also commented on reports that he took a swing after Son grabbed him by the collar.

“I did something I should never have done at that meal. Thinking back on it now, it was something I should never have done. I’m very remorseful about all of this,” he said.

Lee said he’d contacted all the players on the national team to apologize to them around the time of his visit to London.

“I feel very sorry for the serious lack of consideration and respect in my behavior toward my senior and junior teammates. I promised to be courteous and have a proper attitude toward my teammates,” he said.

Lee included an apology for his fans. “I’d like to apologize once again for disappointing football fans by failing in my duty to set an example as a member of Korea’s national team even after receiving so much undeserved trust and support,” he wrote.

A post on Instagram by Son Heung-min regarding his recent scuffle with Lee Kang-in and the latter’s apology. (from @hm_son7 on Instagram)

By Kim Chang-keum, senior staff writer

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