# Lee Woon-jae

> South Korean footballer

**Wikidata**: [Q314728](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314728)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Woon-jae)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lee-woon-jae

## Summary
Lee Woon-jae is a retired South Korean professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is best known for his long and successful career in the K League and for his role in the South Korean national team, including during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

## Biography
- Born: April 26, 1973
- Nationality: South Korea
- Education: Kyung Hee University
- Known for: Being a professional goalkeeper and representing South Korea in international football
- Employer(s): Various K League clubs; South Korean national football team
- Field(s): Association football

## Contributions
Lee Woon-jae contributed to South Korean football primarily through his role as a goalkeeper. His most notable contributions include:
- Representing South Korea in major international competitions, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he played a key role in the team's run to the semi-finals.
- Playing in the K League for multiple seasons, establishing himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the league.
- Serving as a role model and mentor for younger players in the sport.

## FAQs
**What is Lee Woon-jae known for?**  
Lee Woon-jae is known for his career as a professional football goalkeeper in South Korea and for his contributions to the national team, particularly during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

**Where did Lee Woon-jae play during his career?**  
Lee Woon-jae played in the K League for various clubs and was a key player for the South Korean national football team.

**When did Lee Woon-jae play professionally?**  
His professional career spanned from 1996 to 2012, during which he was active in both domestic and international football.

**Which teams did Lee Woon-jae represent in international football?**  
Lee Woon-jae represented South Korea in international competitions, most notably during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

**Did Lee Woon-jae receive any formal education?**  
Yes, Lee Woon-jae was educated at Kyung Hee University in South Korea.

## Why They Matter
Lee Woon-jae's impact on South Korean football is significant due to his role in one of the most successful periods for the national team — the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His performances helped elevate the profile of South Korean football globally and inspired a generation of aspiring goalkeepers. His consistency and leadership on the field contributed to the sport's growing popularity in the country.

## Notable For
- Representing South Korea in the 2002 FIFA World Cup
- Long tenure as a goalkeeper in the K League
- Playing for the South Korean national football team
- Being educated at Kyung Hee University
- Retiring from professional play in 2012

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Lee Woon-jae was born on April 26, 1973. He pursued his education at Kyung Hee University, a well-known private research institution in South Korea with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. The university, founded in 1949, has a strong academic and athletic tradition, which likely provided a solid foundation for Lee's early development as a footballer.

### Career
Lee Woon-jae began his professional football career in 1996 and continued until his retirement in 2012. During this time, he established himself as a reliable goalkeeper in the K League, South Korea's top football division. His career spanned multiple clubs, and he became known for his agility, reflexes, and leadership in goal.

He was also a key member of the South Korean national football team. His most notable international contribution came during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. South Korea reached the semi-finals — a historic achievement for the team — and Lee Woon-jae's performances were widely credited as instrumental in that success.

### Influence and Legacy
Lee Woon-jae's career helped raise the profile of football in South Korea. His participation in the 2002 World Cup, in particular, contributed to a surge in interest in the sport among the domestic audience. As a goalkeeper, he was often the last line of defense and played a critical role in maintaining team morale and structure during high-pressure matches.

His career also paved the way for younger players, setting a standard for professionalism and excellence in goalkeeping. His influence extended beyond the pitch, as his visibility during one of South Korea's most celebrated football moments made him a household name.

### Personal Details and Metadata
- Wikidata ID: Q8912:woon-jae-lee
- Occupation: Footballer (goalkeeper)
- Citizenship: South Korea
- Height: 182 cm
- Weight: 82 kg
- FIFA Player ID: 27407
- K League Player ID: 77937
- Other Identifiers: P646: /m/081z4p, P1469: 77937, P2446: 27407

Lee Woon-jae remains a respected figure in South Korean football history, remembered for his role in one of the most successful eras of the national team and his long-standing contributions to the K League.

## References

1. Transfermarkt
2. FBref
3. Argentine Soccer Database
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013