Korean football star Park Ji-sung, 32, on Thursday confirmed his relationship with 28-year-old SBS presenter Kim Min-ji.

He said at a news conference in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, that he first met Kim in 2011. Another SBS presenter had introduced her to his father, who then encouraged him to meet her, Park added.

“It has not been so long since our first meeting. We have dated since May after I returned home from England.”

Park plays for Queens Park Rangers in the English league.

“In the beginning, we got along like brother and sister, but after frequent meetings, she came to understand me sincerely. That aspect also made me see her as a woman,” Park said. 

“Many people may say many different things, but she’s the most lovable in my eyes.”

He expressed his intention to maintain a serious relationship, but said that he had no firm plans for marriage yet. He dismissed speculation that he would marry in July.

“July is a month when I have to prepare for the European football season. I don’t think there will be a day for my wedding unless I retire.”

He said that he would continue dating Kim and remember the recent media fuss fondly.

Local news media have shown interest in who the star footballer will marry, but Park’s personal life has largely been kept out of the public eye.

Whether or not they were really dating suddenly became a hot topic on Wednesday, when a local online news outlet revealed exclusive photos of them on a date at a Hangang River park on Tuesday night.

“If I marry, I will not hide it but come forward to announce my marriage,” he said.

Park is an iconic footballer to Koreans, thanks to impressive performances in three straight FIFA World Cup finals. Park was the first Korean to play in the English Premier League. He appeared in 205 games over seven seasons with Manchester United until the 2011-2012 season, and then moved to QPR.

Kim graduated from Ewha Womans University with a major in Western painting and then joined SBS as an announcer in 2010. She anchors SBS football program “Football Magazine Goal!” and two other shows.

Her father was a senior judge at Seoul Central District Court and currently practices law. Her mother is a professor of arts at the University of Suwon. Suwon, in Gyeonggi Province, is Park’s hometown.

Turning to his football career, Park said that he had no intention of returning to the national football team.

“I want to play in Europe. There are many possibilities but I want to stay in Europe.”

He is said to be pushing for a move from QPR as the team was relegated from the English Premier League last season.

“Even if Hong Myung-bo asks me to join the Korean side, I won’t go back to the national squad,” he said. Hong is strongly expected to take the helm of the Korean team.

The news conference was held shortly before he donated scholarships to 47 students selected by the JS Foundation, which he chairs.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)