Korean footballer Son Jun-ho detained in China

Son Jun-ho [YONHAP]

Korean footballer Son Jun-ho, who plays in the Chinese Super League, is being held in police custody in northeast China over a suspected bribery case.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday that a Korean national had been detained in Liaoning Province. The Korean embassy in Beijing later identified that person as Shandong Taishan midfielder Son.

Son was detained at Shanghai Pudong Airport on Friday, according to reports.

"China is a country governed by the rule of law and handles the relevant cases in accordance with the law to protect all the legitimate rights and interests of the parties involved," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The arrest comes amid a crackdown on match-fixing in Chinese football, although it remains unclear on what charges Son is being held. The Korea Football Association has contacted Shandong Taishan to try and find more information but received no reply, with the Korean embassy also providing no further information.

Korea is providing all necessary consular assistance to Son, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed during a briefing on Tuesday.

"In regards to Son, our local consulate is providing all necessary consular assistance," Lim Soo-suk, a spokesperson for the ministry, was quoted as saying by Yonhap during a regular press briefing.

Earlier this year, four senior football officials, including Chinese Football Association President Chen Xuyuan, were detained as part of investigations into "serious violations of discipline and the law."

Son, 31, has played for Shandong since 2021 when the club went on to win the Chinese Football League. He has 20 caps for Korea, including appearing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The announcement that Son was being held came just hours before Shandong announced that former Korean national team manager Choi Kang-hee, who had formerly managed Son at Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, is taking the helm at the Chinese club.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]