Park scores his first goal of the season with a guitar celebration

Korean-language criticism floods Newcastle United's social media

Park Seung-su performs a goal celebration, alongside a photo of him wearing a military discharge cap. [Newcastle United FC / Park Seung-su's social media]
Park Seung-su performs a goal celebration, alongside a photo of him wearing a military discharge cap. [Newcastle United FC / Park Seung-su's social media]

Park Seung-su, the Newcastle United player who sparked controversy over a military discharge cap at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, has drawn a fresh wave of criticism from Korean fans after footage of his goal celebration circulated on social media.

Newcastle United FC's official social media accounts posted a video of Park's goal celebration on Tuesday, which was quickly flooded with Korean-language comments. "Still hasn't learned," "blocking the path of younger players and loving it," and "have you lost your mind?" were among the remarks left by users.

Earlier, Newcastle's under-21 side beat Sunderland U-21 3-2 in the sixth round of the 2026/27 Premier League 2, played in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on Tuesday (local time).

Park came on as a substitute in the 67th minute with his team trailing 1-2 and scored a crucial equalizer just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch — his first goal of the season — helping set up the comeback victory.

Immediately after scoring, Park celebrated with an air-guitar routine, drawing congratulations from his teammates.

Park also shared the video on his personal social media story.

Korean fans, however, were reminded of an earlier controversy: after winning a gold medal in men's football at the Asian Games — which earned him a military service exemption — Park had posted a photo of himself wearing a military discharge cap at a crooked angle, which many saw as mocking the obligation of military service. A discharge cap is worn by soldiers to mark the completion of their service. A video of Park sticking out his tongue toward the camera at the gold medal ceremony also spread widely at the time, drawing public anger.

Park Seung-su sticks out his tongue toward the camera immediately after receiving his gold medal at the men's football awards ceremony at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. [Online community]
Park Seung-su sticks out his tongue toward the camera immediately after receiving his gold medal at the men's football awards ceremony at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. [Online community]

At the time, Park issued a statement saying he had "never intended to mock those fulfilling their military duty, nor taken their efforts lightly," and that he had "never once thought lightly of the meaning of representing the national team." He added that he was "well aware that the opportunity and benefits granted by this gold medal are by no means something to be taken for granted," and pledged to "show a more responsible side going forward to live up to the support and expectations of the public."

That was less than a month ago.

Korean football fans appear to have expected Park to show greater restraint in the weeks since.

Users left comments on Newcastle's social media including: "blocking younger players' futures and loving it," "still hasn't learned," "acting up again," "with North Korea's provocations making things really tense in the military right now, it's hard to cheer him on when I think of my son serving on the front lines," "I wonder if he'll ever reflect," "people don't change," and "anyone can make a mistake, but turning it into a lesson and changing your future is your own responsibility."


jshan@heraldcorp.com